I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen. I made a fuss a couple of months ago that resulted in a visit from the SW who said he would order two spots of respite for me, for two separate weeks when I am off from work. Then I didn't hear from him again. I sent him a polite reminder a few weeks ago and then waited. Finally last week, a week before the respite was supposed to happen he e-mailled me to say he had found somewhere and I needed to take dad to see it first to check it was okay.
So last Saturday we went round the care home. It is just a five minute walk away, and a place I already have history with as once upon a time (20 years ago) my mother worked there as a nurse. Lets just say if she still worked there I would have turned the place down! But the place has changed hands since and I was actually pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. It's a beautiful Victorian building, hotel-like inside, and the gardens are lovely. Even dad didn't seem disturbed at the thought of staying there- I think he was enchanted by the gardens and the free cake!
So I immediately contacted the social worker to give the go ahead.
Then silence.
Friday morning I get a phone call from the council saying they have been asked to do a financial assessment for the respite and they will call back next week.
"Thats okay, but dad's supposed to be in respite next week!"
He advised I ring the social worker. I ended up leaving a message with someone for him to get back to me, telling them to make sure he rings me on my mobile as I am taking a 'very rare' day out.
No phone call.
Eventually I get home at 4.30 to find he has left a message on the house phone to say the respite is confirmed (hooray) and he will send me an e-mail with more details.
So I look up my e-mails. It doesn't say much, just to get into contact with the home to find what dad needs to take. I bought name tape just in case and have that to look forward to over the weekend. I have no idea how many clothes he needs to take, or whether I should pack things like his long-handled shoe horn.
Then I read the last line of the e-mail:
"Please be aware that I am no longer your father's social worker and if you need anything contact the council."
Great. We lost his CPN a few months back. Now it seems we don't have a social worker either!
So last Saturday we went round the care home. It is just a five minute walk away, and a place I already have history with as once upon a time (20 years ago) my mother worked there as a nurse. Lets just say if she still worked there I would have turned the place down! But the place has changed hands since and I was actually pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. It's a beautiful Victorian building, hotel-like inside, and the gardens are lovely. Even dad didn't seem disturbed at the thought of staying there- I think he was enchanted by the gardens and the free cake!
So I immediately contacted the social worker to give the go ahead.
Then silence.
Friday morning I get a phone call from the council saying they have been asked to do a financial assessment for the respite and they will call back next week.
"Thats okay, but dad's supposed to be in respite next week!"
He advised I ring the social worker. I ended up leaving a message with someone for him to get back to me, telling them to make sure he rings me on my mobile as I am taking a 'very rare' day out.
No phone call.
Eventually I get home at 4.30 to find he has left a message on the house phone to say the respite is confirmed (hooray) and he will send me an e-mail with more details.
So I look up my e-mails. It doesn't say much, just to get into contact with the home to find what dad needs to take. I bought name tape just in case and have that to look forward to over the weekend. I have no idea how many clothes he needs to take, or whether I should pack things like his long-handled shoe horn.
Then I read the last line of the e-mail:
"Please be aware that I am no longer your father's social worker and if you need anything contact the council."
Great. We lost his CPN a few months back. Now it seems we don't have a social worker either!