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Really needs help, housing adaptations
I've posted on.here before I have a severely disabled child and we are currently trying to get adaptions for our home to make it accessible to him. They have so far produced 3 plans and non of them fully allow him independence they have a duty of care where can I turn to so that we are listened to
Replies
If you have access to a computer look up:
LawWorks
https://www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice-individuals
If you do not have a computer, your local library may have computers you can use.
This is a short video from Mary Ward Centre, London.You can search for a Law centre near to you, where you can get assistance with Benefits.
I found 15 Law centres within 10 miles of where I live.
What to do if you fail an ESA medical assessment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKwgX4IjIWU&feature=youtu.beSenior online community officer
Senior online community officer
Sorry for the late reply, I've been away from the office for a few days.
Unfortunately, Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) home adaptations do not undertake to make the disabled person as independent as they can possibly be. DFG just undertakes to address the very basic needs criteria outlined for the grant scheme. The priority for the local authority will be meeting the assessed needs covered by the DFG criteria by the most cost effective means possible.
However, if the plans that have been suggested, so far, won't allow you to sit together as a family in a reception room (note I say a reception room, not all reception rooms if you have more than one) and prevent your son from turning round then you probably have grounds for complaint.
This should initially be via the local authority's own formal complaints procedure, and then, if you don't get a satisfactory outcome, escalate the matter to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint/fact-sheets/housing/housing-adaptations-for-people-with-disabilities
If you follow the link and scroll towards the bottom of the page you will find a link to to a useful DFG good practice guide published by care and repair, titled "Delivering Housing Adaptations for Disabled People - A detailed Guide to related legislation, guidance and good practice'.
As has already been suggested copying your complaint to your MP might also be helpful.
It would be wise to evidence your complaint, as best you can, by showing how the suggested adaptations will not meet your son's assessed needs. If you have an alternative suggestion for how your son's assessed needs can be met it would be sensible to include a copy of it. Potentially it might be useful to commission an independent Occupational Therapy report to back up what you are saying, if you have the means to do so: https://www.rcotss-ip.org.uk/find
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
The OT who made the recommendations of what adaptations are needed must have based those recommendations on what she has assessed your son's needs to be. If that information hasn't been given to you ask for a copy of it.
If you buy a service from an independent OT that is a private matter between you and her. You could ask her to critique the existing plans and/or make her own recommendations in a report which would be sent to you. You can then decide if you want to use that report as part of your complaint to the complaint or not.
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist