Asking for a friend who needs urgent help

wandering_chris
wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
edited August 2023 in Housing and independent living
So my mate with Cerebral Palsy is moving to Leeds after being subjected to antisocial behavior and racist abuse where he lives in the Midlands. He's also suffering from PTSD as a result of the abuse he's experienced he has flashbacks and being where he lives triggers him when he goes out. He's even seeing a therapist at some point about all this.

Today, he's applied to the independent living team, and the housing association has said because he needs 24hr care and they don't provide it they've signposted him to other orgs in London and Manchester.

However, he's not even been assessed yet! Also, he's got mates and connections in Leeds too. So, where does he go from here? 'Cos in his own words, he needs to get out and fast!

Comments

  • newborn
    newborn Online Community Member Posts: 828 Trailblazing
    Others will give him better advice, but every area and every organisation will try to play pass the parcel if someone needs 24 hour care. London is so overcrowded it would be a terrible place to try. Manchester possibly not good either. Leeds sounds better for him as you say he has mates there, and that is 'local connection', plus Leeds, though crowded, won't be quite so packed-solid.

    But I think there is a bit of the story missed out, because he cannot be declared to "need 24 hour care", and at the same time be "'not assessed" !

    I am absolutely not giving advice, and not the right person, but following Scope threads, and through personal friends etc, I have noticed that sometimes, it is essential to try and force the pace in some way.  It might be that someone can just be ignored by officials, even though they are in the wrong housing or the wrong location, because on the case file the box is ticked as they are at least under a roof, of some sort, somewhere .

    The information you give is scant. But can you find out what is the worst that could happen? If he leaves his present home on his own accord, and relocates to Leeds, somehow, would the Leeds council be able to say he is voluntarily homeless and they need not house him?  Or could they say they won't give him any care package, because he is not their ' property', and should return to those who are obliged to care for him?  

    If the Leeds council would actually be forced to deal with him, then his only problem is getting there, and getting a roof for himself, and care for himself.    But, in planning the escape, he needs to find out again "what is the worst that can happen" in Leeds: Could they leave him for months or years with what he plans to be a temporary sofa surfing emergency friend?  If his mates rally round and help care for him, meaning it for just a few days, will Leeds say he needs no care?

    Are there disability organisations there who will advise him on his great escape plans? 

    Again, repeat, I wish I could advise, but really nobody could without a lot more information
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    newborn said:
    Others will give him better advice, but every area and every organisation will try to play pass the parcel if someone needs 24 hour care. London is so overcrowded it would be a terrible place to try. Manchester possibly not good either. Leeds sounds better for him as you say he has mates there, and that is 'local connection', plus Leeds, though crowded, won't be quite so packed-solid.

    But I think there is a bit of the story missed out, because he cannot be declared to "need 24 hour care", and at the same time be "'not assessed" !

    I am absolutely not giving advice, and not the right person, but following Scope threads, and through personal friends etc, I have noticed that sometimes, it is essential to try and force the pace in some way.  It might be that someone can just be ignored by officials, even though they are in the wrong housing or the wrong location, because on the case file the box is ticked as they are at least under a roof, of some sort, somewhere .

    The information you give is scant. But can you find out what is the worst that could happen? If he leaves his present home on his own accord, and relocates to Leeds, somehow, would the Leeds council be able to say he is voluntarily homeless and they need not house him?  Or could they say they won't give him any care package, because he is not their ' property', and should return to those who are obliged to care for him?  

    If the Leeds council would actually be forced to deal with him, then his only problem is getting there, and getting a roof for himself, and care for himself.    But, in planning the escape, he needs to find out again "what is the worst that can happen" in Leeds: Could they leave him for months or years with what he plans to be a temporary sofa surfing emergency friend?  If his mates rally round and help care for him, meaning it for just a few days, will Leeds say he needs no care?

    Are there disability organisations there who will advise him on his great escape plans? 

    Again, repeat, I wish I could advise, but really nobody could without a lot more information

    My bad, I should have said his current needs are 24hrs as family look after him 24/7 but Leeds havent assessed him over there so to speak and confirmed it
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    edited August 2023
    Hi @wandering_chris , thank you for bringing this up. I can see you really care for your friend and I hope we can find you the right advice!

     Has your friend received an assessment yet? And has the housing association said anything else?
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    edited August 2023
    update: On Sunday some idiot daubed a swastika near where he lived, police appealing for witnesses, also he's contacted his local MP to see what can be done next. Would share the police appeal but don't want to post anything too identifiable.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    @wandering_chris I'm keeping everything crossed their MP is able to help support them! I also wondered. Has your friend reached out to Citizens Advice?  
  • wandering_chris
    wandering_chris Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 104 Empowering
    edited August 2023
    Hannah_Scope said:
    @wandering_chris I'm keeping everything crossed their MP is able to help support them! I also wondered. Has your friend reached out to Citizens Advice?  

    Council, Police, CST, every organization he can - I really dont know what else he can do Hannah... I just hope they get him out 'cos he's not in a very mentally or emotionally healthy environment.
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    I'm so saddened something like this is happening in  the UK. I hope with the police and MP involved there can be a quick resolution to this. Someone should not have  to go through this. I'm so glad they have some support from friends  like you @wandering_chris, I can't imagine how hard it would be without people like you helping.

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