Support Worker

Autism_at_40
Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
in Autism and neurodiversity
Hello,
Not sure if this is the right category.
I am Autistic, I struggle with some day to day things, like making decisions and things.  I have Enhanced PIP, so that is validation for me.

I recently got referred by SCOPE to the council for a support worker, I've been put forward for first contact support, but I am unsure what that is?

Does anyone have any insight into the above?

Do you know what kind of help I can get?  I have asked them, but I never seem to get a response as to what they can help me with.

Any help, appreciated.  Thanks

Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hello @Autism_at_40 I'm glad to hear you've been put forward for support.

    Usually, ‘First contact’ is the point when a person has the opportunity to discuss their needs following an initial review. This includes the period when the council:
    • can decide whether to refer the person on for further assessment
    • can commission services in response to the person’s needs
    • can ‘signpost’ the person to further information or services
    Does that make sense at all? 

    If we can help with anything further, please ask :)
  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    Thanks @Alex_Scope, that helps a bit.
    I'm just still not sure what kinds of things they can help me with.  This is all so new to me, I don't know what I should be asking for help with, if that makes sense.
    There's probably things I deal with, but could ask for help with.
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 13,826 Championing
    They could help you volunteer or gain employment, advice you with energy costs and support you to empower change in your local community. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    That's alright @Autism_at_40 I'm glad it's helped a little. And what you've said does make sense. The council will likely have systems in place to help them cover everything they need to with you.

    I can understand the feeling of having things you deal with, but could ask for help with. These might feel like 'normal' things to manage but take a lot of mental or physical effort on your own. It could be that you'd benefit from a helping hand!

    I'd encourage you to be open and honest with yourself about how managing everything, or not managing things, makes you feel. It can be really hard to talk about, but it's worth doing :) 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    A Support worker can help support you with many things. Whether that's support at home and/or going out. You will need to have a needs assessment first to determine what help/support can be offered, if any.

    Once that is done, if they can offer some support you will then need to have a financial assessment. This will determine how much you will need to pay towards the cost of any support you have. It's not a quick process by any means.
  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    OK, Thanks @poppy123456
    I didn't realise it was something that I would have to pay for, or contribute towards either.
    Thanks for the information.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Most people have to pay a contribution towards the care/support they receive.
  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    Ah right, it's all new to me, I have no idea about any of these things honestly.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @Autism_at_40

    I'm so glad you've been put forward for support. I think sometimes we know we need help but are too used to just getting on, and doing everything ourselves. I find it is always great to talk to someone and they give a different perspective. I really hope they are a big help to you :)<3
  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    Thanks @Hannah_Scope I hope so too, although they did say there is a backlog, so I have no idea how long it will take.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Hopefully, it won't take too much longer @Autism_at_40. Though, I can hear that's probably not very practicable given their backlog.

    If there's anything else we can do to support you in the meantime please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We will do our best to help, even if that's just providing a listening ear  :)
  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    Thanks @L_Volunteer
    I appreciate it.
    I still have no idea what they can help me with.  I have things that need sorting now, so I suppose I will have to do it myself and deal with the anxiety and stress afterwards.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited March 2023
    That largely depends on what you need help with @Autism_at_40, which I am afraid is really vague and not ideal.

    It is something they can assess and you can discuss and compromise with though if that helps.

    It sounds really difficult that you have things that need sorting now and you will have to deal with these yourself and deal with the anxiety and stress afterward.

    Until you receive the support you need and deserve, is there anything that might help you to manage these things but with less anxiety and stress afterward?  :)

  • Autism_at_40
    Autism_at_40 Online Community Member Posts: 899 Pioneering
    Thanks @L_Volunteer
    Since I posted this, I have had the call from the initial person.  She has referred me to a few different things actually.  I will be getting a Care Act Assessment, i think it was.  She's also referring me to get an advocate to help me with certain things that we discussed.

    I've been sent some information too, I just need to find the concentration to read through it all.

    Once I'm fully registered at a GPs (I did that the day I had the call, as it is needed), I can get referred for something else.

    I'm hoping things will move quite quickly.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    That sounds all positive @Autism_at_40 :) fingers crossed it does move quickly! 

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