Social workers question

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Bowdon

I had a social worker that helped setup some carers to come in and help me in the mornings 3 times a week.

My Dad usually helps the rest of the time.

But last week Dad got ill. So I contacted the social worker to arrange additional carer visits only to be told the case as been closed and I have to recontact adult services at the council.

I always thought disabled people were assigned a social worker long term. Was I wrong to think that? Or did things change at some point?

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @Bowdon, sorry to hear your dad isn't doing so well and that's affected you. It seems there's likely been a lack of proper communication from the social care team to yourself if you were under the impression you had someone assigned to you long-term but that isn't the case. So you've done nothing wrong here.

We have some advice pages on social care referrals: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/social-care-services

While in some situations you are assigned a social care worker in the long-term, in many local authorities when it comes to assessing if someone needs care help, the social care worker is only really involved in the assessment and implementing it's recommendations. So, it's likely they are not incorrect, once the recommended care has been arranged the case is then deemed done, with any changes needing a new assessment.

I understand this likely isn't what you want to hear, as it can take time for a new assessment and new care to be put in place. It may best to start the process as soon as possible, is there anyone you know who may be able to temporarily help?