Update
Hi all. I didn't get a chance to post sooner.
The most disappointing thing about the SW visit was finding out that Day Care Centres are not available at weekends in our area
. I felt that this was hugely discriminatory against working carers. I haven't had time to look up private providers. There must be some.
We discussed getting some help in the mornings and evenings (I haven't managed to get to work at 9.00 for weeks now, as the agency carer comes in from 10 to 5). If Philip goes to a care centre a couple of times during the week, it will save me some agency fees which I can then use for some help at weekends. If not a care centre, then at least an agency worker for one day. This wouldn't give time to myself in my home, but at least time to go out for the odd treat.
I asked about Self-Directed Support which, according to a Council/NHS leaflet, was supposed to kick in last August here. I was told that SDS hadn't gone live yet. I told him that my Carers' Support manager was getting her father assessed for SDS next week.
The next day he sent me an e-mail containing the following:
I have discussed your husband's "case" with my manager. She holds the view that it might be worth waiting until next week to calculate his personal budget under SDS. As I said, we have not gone live yet, but will get the software installed next week.
As this was on Friday, I hadn't expected anything to happen before next week anyway!
And then...!!!
I cannot promise that the personal budget will be more than you get now. The problem is that everything above benchmark, which is the rate a care home might charge, has to go to panel. They would probably argue that your husband should go into permanent care when he needs constant supervision. I don't think that would do him any good as he seems to be very devoted to you
.
I don't understand the benchmark jargon, but this sounds to me like they'd be prepared to pay for him to go into permanent care? And therefore they'd contribute to a home of my choice (as long as they agree that it would meet Philip's needs) up to the LA limit?
My posts always turn out very long. In short, does anyone have experience with SDS?