My mum has been assessed and given a budget for 4 visits a day . I chose to do the bedtime call myself so it could supplement having a good carer during other visits we are under option 2 … now after a review I’m being told we can’t do that and the LA will keep the budget for tuck call as our carer doesn’t offer that facility anyway .
I don’t know what to do or our entitlement? Also is mum entitled to Respite budget under option 2
Any help on this would be appreciated
Could you take control of the budget under option 1 and then pay the provider/person yourself?
So you want to take one of the visits yourself in order to pay for better care on the other three, is that right?
Yes that was my intention but now they are saying under option 2 that’s not allowed so they would withhold the 4th visit budget because it’s not used . If i change to option 1 the payment is £5 less an hour allocated
It’s honestly a mine field … don’t know what to do for the best
Thanks for reply
Why is it £5 less per hour?
I’ve no idea
It’s a different rate for option 1 and option 2
I think Option 1 is paid less per hour on the assumption that employing your own support worker is cheaper than paying for a provider. But I don’t see why you can’t pay for a provider yourself under Option 1. I know a DP user who does that. In which case you’ll need the same money as now in order to pay the provider.
Hi Sylv1,
Thank you for your post. I would like to try and answer your original query.
From what you said, it sounded like the Local Authority now want to reduce the SDS budget because you are looking to provide support for the bedtime support, rather than give you the choice to use the SDS budget in a more flexible way.
I think for me, there are a number of things to think about including:
1) Choice: this is an underlying SDS Statutory Principle in the SDS legislation. I don’t understand why you can’t exercise the choice you have outlined. Maybe you could ask the Local Authority to explain this further, or to ask if there is any Option 2 provider in the Glasgow area that can.
2) Your caring role: it sounds like you are supporting your mum quite a bit at the moment. This means that you are an unpaid carer.
The Local Authority has certain responsibilities to unpaid carers. One of the main ways they can meet this responsibility, is to offer you an Adult Carers Support Plan (ACSP). This is based on a ‘good conversation’ with someone who understands carers needs. The local Carers Centres in Glasgow can support you with these, so if you know your local centre I would get in touch with them, or you can do a search here on our ‘Find Help with SDS’ database for further details.
Following the ACSP, you might be able to access additional support for yourself. If you meet local eligibility criteria for carers you might also be allocated an SDS budget to help pay for support that you are entitled to. This might include respite support or even replacement care - to give you a break from your caring role.
3) Further support with SDS: there is a local organisation in Glasgow that can support people with questions and issues about SDS. This is:
Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL)
117, Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 3AP
Tel: (0141) 550 4455
Email: gcil@gcil.org.uk
Website: https://gcil.org.uk/
I hope that helps but do come back to me if there’s anything else that you’d like to know.
Many thanks,
Mark
2 Likes
@Sylv1 Regarding your question on respite, this should be available under any of the SDS options if you are assessed as being eligible. If you are needing regular respite in the form of replacement care (a ‘sitting service’) for your mum, this can be provided by a care provider via Option 2/3 or by individual carers/personal assistants via Option 1. You may also be able to access support for overnight respite, if this is needed. Importantly, any services that are provided for the benefit of an unpaid carer should be free of charge. More info here: Getting a break | Respite for carers
If you’ve not had a carers assessment, known as an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP), done then this is your starting point. Every carer has a right to an ACSP and this will help to identify what support you require to live your life alongside your caring role and whether or not you meet local eligibility criteria for statutory services. ACSPs may be done by the local authority or by an organisation such as a carers centre.
The SDS Handbook has useful info on support for unpaid carers: Support for unpaid carers and young carers - The SDS HandbookThe SDS Handbook
1 Like