adult that works out at £2.66 per hour, but does not include holiday pay, and they can only earn an additional £110 per week before the allowance is reduced. There needs to be transparency and there needs to be the same rates/ support/information for all carers. Case Study 1 I received no information or support from HCC and have only managed to get a diagnosis for my daughter (age 20) a year ago. There is also no appeal process for refusal of support. When an assessment goes to panel and is refused there is no information to tell you what you can do next to appeal this decision. When people are offered respite support they are often told that the person they care for has to go away from home for up to three weeks instead of having the option of support within the home. I have also never seen or been told about the Learning Disability Plan until now/workshops or how I could be involved. This Case study was not an isolated case, so suggestions for things to improve the situation Clear information about, who to contact for assessments/support. (The Contact Centre is long winded, will not always transfer you to Social worker unless you are current case and have a direct line number). We know Social workers cannot keep “cases but every service users name must be on the system, so open” Contact Centre staff could transfer the family carer to the Duty Social worker at the team their son or daughter last had contact with. Family carers need support to continue to care and to save the Department money, they will only contact the Social Worker if there is an issue. Clear guidelines on the process and now to appeal/complain are needed, this could be in easy read, so everyone who
adult that works out at £2.66 per hour, but does not include holiday pay, and they can only earn an additional £110 per week before the allowance is reduced. There needs to be transparency and there needs to be the same rates/ support/information for all carers. Case Study 1 I received no information or support from HCC and have only managed to get a diagnosis for my daughter (age 20) a year ago. There is also no appeal process for refusal of support. When an assessment goes to panel and is refused there is no information to tell you what you can do next to appeal this decision. When people are offered respite support they are often told that the person they care for has to go away from home for up to three weeks instead of having the option of support within the home. I have also never seen or been told about the Learning Disability Plan until now/workshops or how I could be involved. This Case study was not an isolated case, so suggestions for things to improve the situation Clear information about, who to contact for assessments/support. (The Contact Centre is long winded, will not always transfer you to Social worker unless you are current case and have a direct line number). We know Social workers cannot keep “cases open” but every service users name must be on the system, so Contact Centre staff could transfer the family carer to the Duty Social worker at the team their son or daughter last had contact with. Family carers need support to continue to care and to save the Department money, they will only contact the Social Worker if there is an issue. Clear guidelines on the process and now to appeal/complain are needed, this could be in easy read, so everyone who