Hi, my name is Boop13! Autistic son being made to move by council. Help please.

Boop13

I have a 28yr son with Autism who’s lived in Supported living for 7 years. He is verbal. There are 4 other residents. The supported living then manager ( since has been new ones) moved in another resident who’s non verbal with Autism . Since that time my son hasn’t liked where is is because of the noise the non-verbal resident makes. Has my son has sensitive hearing. 

Another room became available in another residence owned by same care organisation.
20 minutes away they showed my son the place and he liked it. The manager where he’s staying contacted Social Team . A mental capacity test was done at my sons supported living place. By a Social worker had never met my son before. But
because he couldn’t decide because she brought a location up to my son that threw him off. She said he was unable to make a decision.
She then came up with to give him more choice . The local authority will have to choose a 2nd option which the authority will choose. I said didn’t have to do that before she informed me a lot as changed .

I later found out they are basing this 2nd option on care vs cost. 

And that the local authority will decide out of the 2 placements. 

My son dosent live in the Borough that pays for the care . Has he previously attended a residential college when he was 17 which took him out of the Borough where we lived. 

I feel the Borough that’s funding he’s care are looking to make cuts and my son will have to go to the cheaper cost place chosen by the authority. And not the room in the place 20 mins away run by the same care company.that he currently is at. Which would be less of a truma to my son has the care and place is similar to where he is staying. 
Plus they have there own maintenance people that can move he’s stuff eg bed into the new room. 

He knows some of the staff there. I’m trying to Communicate with the Social Worker . They are making out its choices but they will be looking at the costs of the second place has they will prob be phoning around to find out care vs cost. 

This authority has overspent there budget and are having to make cuts. 

But the issue wasn’t so much with the care . Where he’s living. It was the shouting tones from the non-verbal resident. Which I know isn’t the residents fault. But my son’s hearing makes it so loud for him. 

Because I’m only an appointee has a similar thing happened when I tried to get power of attorney. A mental capacity test was done by there local gp . The gp didn’t contact me and I found out after the apt. He didn’t have the mental ability to make the decision. Autism is tricky as it depends on there mood. How they are spoken to. Processing time etc.

im now as he’s parent and disabled myself . Arthritis making it hard to walk & don’t drive or live in the Borough he’s now living in . Know what to do has I don’t want the funding authority to take the decision away based on the cheaper cost place they are sourcing has my sons second option.

when he was quite happy moving to the place 20 mins away . Has he won’t have choices but the funding authority are calling all the shots . Social worker met him just the once. The deciding panel never having to meet him.

my son left in a worser position 
where do I get help?  citizens advice can’t help has I need to be with my son and we don’t live in same Borough. I had advocate mentioned but I’m not in the Borough where he lives ? 

He comes to visit me by train regular but stays weekends. So we do see one another 
but at my wits end 

Albus_Scope

Hi there @Boop13 and welcome to the community.

I'm sorry to hear things are tough for you and your son, council cuts are affecting disabled people badly now.  You mentioned advocates, is this something you've already spoken to the council about? I'd suggest asking the council that your son lives in about advocacy, as they may be able to help both of you. There's an NHS link here that may be of use to you.

I'm just going to move your post to a different category, so more people in the know will be able to see and hopefully offer some top support. I hope that's ok? 

Boop13

Hi, thank you. If an advocacy needs to be in my Sons Borough . I havnt the means of transport to get to he’s Borough has it is not local you see. No car and bad mobility . Mobility . Scooter broken can’t afford to fix it . So prettty difficult ! 

Albus_Scope

The advocate would be able to speak on your and your sons behalf, so you wouldn't need to travel to them each time. It's definitely worth at least speaking to them to see if you can get some support in place. 

Boop13

Hi, I have sent a email to a advocacy agency to ask advice for help 
thanks ! But any tips or info welcome. I know to become a deputy . but I believe & heard could be expensive and time consuming 

MW123

Boop13 said:

Hi, I have sent a email to a advocacy agency to ask advice for help 
thanks ! But any tips or info welcome. I know to become a deputy . but I believe & heard could be expensive and time consuming 

@Boop13

Experiencing your son's struggle with noise sensitivity in his current living situation must be a source of significant stress, and it can be frustrating when financial considerations seem to take precedence over his specific needs during the placement process. 

However, becoming a Deputy through the Court of Protection can be a lengthy and potentially costly process. If you meet the financial eligibility requirements, you may be able to secure legal aid to help cover the expenses associated with applying for Deputyship. Consulting with an advocacy agency or a solicitor specialising in this area can help you determine your eligibility for legal aid. 

In the meantime, gaining a deeper understanding of the regulations governing the local authority concerning funding for supported living can empower you to advocate for your son's rights. Research the legal framework regarding funding for supported living within your son's local authority. 

Make it clear in writing or email that your son's requirements should not be compromised due to financial limitations. Request transparency in the assessment process, emphasising the negative consequences of prioritising financial matters over your son's well-being. 

Ask for a thorough explanation of the criteria used to select the second placement option. Inquire if financial factors are given priority over individual needs and ask about the existence of an appeals process. If you disagree with the initial mental capacity assessment, request a second evaluation by an assessor who is knowledgeable about autism. 

While I may not be fully versed in the intricacies of your predicament, I would recommend abstaining from verbal conversations with these individuals regarding this situation and instead, choose written communication. Keeping a thorough record of every interaction is vital. You are an exceptional mother, wholeheartedly dedicated to your son's needs. However, it's also important to remember to take care of yourself during this uncertain difficult time. 

Boop13

 thank  you for replying. You have been very helpful I appreciate this. Things to think about. I don’t want them to make the decision for him as not fair ! 

Boop13

Hi, my son is funded by the local authority where I live. Has he was living here before he went to residential college in Brighton . 

So wouldn’t be the Borough that’s funding him that I look up ??

Hannah_Alumni

@Boop13 I don't think it would hurt to CC both boroughs in an email. To get some clarity  

Boop13

Hi, havnt really dealt with the Borough he’s in only my Borough that fund he’s placement 
thanks

Hannah_Alumni

@Boop13 Hopefully they will be able to help support!  

Boop13

Hi , ok has they don’t fund he’s placement & I didn’t see how they may be able to help ? But will try 
thanks