Hi im looking for any advice on a few issues were am struggling with as a single parent recently been awarded a budget during this our sw chikdren fsmily worker left before we arranged a plan to use the award on so got duty worker but feel getting no where firstly my daughter has a 2 hour slot at nursery with a 1 to 1 support was told we cant use budget to obtain more support from nursery so ive been looking at other options when i called duty worker a was told this tske weeks to set up ie childminder pa babysitter for respite etc and disclosures needing done sw are aware of many struggles at the moment due to my own health and being diagnosed with a brain issue arising in seizures n constant migraines which may result in an operation being needed when oan medication i feel uneasy due to daughter’s needs being severe and avoid medication at times or less my older daughter helping out i have 3 kids during all this we have had major housing issues with landlord leaving us without water for a week heating gas and water go every 2 days that its now affected my mental health also most recently my washing machine going and flooding us and been left a week without landlord sorting sw have been invokved with landlord they offered us a hotel which under no circumstances is safe for my child especially after sw arranging certain safety measures in our home for my child so are aware the issues child would face and her safety at risk asked could we use budget to provide family respite somewhere suitable for the child to be told no also would not provide taxi to enabke me to get children too school and nursery i was told could arrange 1 taxi at 1pm for child at nursery and i would have to go with her but make oan way back but other children wouldnt be provided any support also no cooking facilities or supoort to eat out also enquired aboit respite for myself to be ignored at times or to be told a plan needs to be done 1st im at my ends wit between housing issues childcare respite etc any advice on how budget works why we arent able to access after been awarded or what budget can be used for i was sure a saw on the glasgow council website family respite but saying we cant use for that even if my 16yr old took chikd in one room and me and other child in another as someone adviced to ask if that be classed as separate respite im clueless to how it all works and how to get the right support in places most are aged 5 upwards unfortunately she is only 4 thanks for listening
Hi Michelle
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for posting. I’m sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been having arranging support for your daughter.
From your post it sounds like you are in Glasgow. If you haven’t already, I think it would be good to speak to someone at Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living who are SDS experts and may be able to give you some advice.
You can contact them on gcil@gcil.org.uk or 0141 550 4455
I’m also copying in Sharon at GCiL who may be able to respond here @shafar
Thanks,
Kayleigh
Think I’m posting this correctly in a section about children’s SDS rather than start a new topic.
Anybody got advice on how long an assessment for a child should take. I’ve read there is no actual set time frame but if a social worker keeps delaying everything for years not months or weeks surely there is a cut off point and how would you move forward? Senior managers within the council have been contacted but it makes no difference.
Is there anything you can quote about your legal right for the assessment not to be deliberately held back.
Unreasonable delays, especially if they involve statutory services are judicially reviewable, I’m nearly certain. Need to check to be sure. There ought to be easier ways though. It might be the kind of thing the ombudsman can help with, which is free and no risk. Does the LA have a policy which mentions timings?
Hi Josh
Thanks for your response. Yes on their website it states 4 -6 weeks and if anything additional needs to be considered it can take up to 8 weeks but as time progresses I wondered if LA can do as they wish on time frames. I also assumed the SDS journey was the same for a child as an adult.
I think what can be very confusing is that each LA can have so many different policies from other LA. I don’t know anything about that though apart from it’s difficult to work out what must be set in stone with a LA and what a LA can make their own policies on.
Thanks
It seems reasonable to me to hold them to the 4-6 weeks. If it was me I wouldn’t hesitate to formally complain → then Ombudsman → then possibly even judicial review if there is no Sheriff court option. Not sure if there are any other options. SDS is a statutory service for those eligible. There’s nothing optional about it. I would think you are in a strong position
Thank you for this advice and it’s what I thought that if a LA put out to the public the procedure they are going to follow they should do that. Of course exceptional circumstances can arise I accept that.
It’s just when things keep getting changed so much you begin to wonder if there are any rules that exist!
Thanks
It’s definitely worth complaining if it feels like an unreasonable length of time to wait. Of course, what is reasonable will depend on a number of factors, but a complaint should at least be formally addressed and you should receive a proper response. Also speaking to a councillor, who can raise an internal enquiry and will receive some kind of response.
The SDS Handbook says this: “Your council will have a lengthy waiting list so it is likely that, unless there is a risk of harm to your child, there will be a wait to have an assessment.” Eligibility for formal support (children and young people) - The SDS HandbookThe SDS Handbook
It might be worth contacting Civil Rights First for advice/guidance, as this is about the right to an assessment of a child’s needs.
Hi Justin
Thank you very much for this advice. You taking the time to reply is very welcome.
Thanks