Social work have just phoned back and she's coming to see me on wednesday afternoon :o) G's review is on friday so we'll mainly be discussing it...She'll come back next week to talk about M's future needs review :o) I like this duty social worker she is really nice, listens and had lots of info she could give me last year...It was this one that told me that it could be possible for G to leave home like K has to go to uni...He would get to live in supported accomodation...She told me that in glasgow (if he went there) one of the colleges/uni's has a specific accomodation unit for students with aspergers...They can stay there regardless of which uni or college they are going to in glasgow...It's supported in that there is workers to help them to look after themselves and get them organised etc which is brill...G at the mo would prefer to stay at home if he was going down the path of uni or college...I know the robert gordons university up here have some great stuff in place for students with aspergers...They spoke to the local carers centre about what they could do to help disabled students and specifically ones with aspergers/autism...Maybe more universities should have that approach...I know the other local uni doesn't :o( I also just managed to speak quickly to the coordinator from the VSA (voluntary services aberdeen) ...She's an old uni friend that i haven't seen for years LOL...When our worker spoke to her on friday she told him to shoosh as he was making her feel old by saying how old my 3 are now <ggg> There is one worker that they have just taken on that may be suitable but she is female...I would prefer a male worker but she is someone the boys may know as she has worked at their saturday fun club in the past...There is a male worker who does some occasional work for the link workers scheme that may be also be suitable...Our worker has said he will want to meet a new one first and tell them what he does, what the boys like, how they are etc...I think that is actually really good of him as he doesn't have to do anything like that :o) Am getting a call back on wednesday afternoon to discuss it all and fingers crossed a) the boys will like the new worker b) the new worker will like the boys c) the transition goes relatively okies...One thing i said is a defo must and that is the new worker is into sports.
Did anyone see the ITV news at lunchtime??? The part of the lunchtime news they call the Pulse is about Carers this week...ITN are starting up a campaign to get better treatment, provision, benefits etc etc etc for carers...They would like someone appointed as a Carers Czar to oversee everything and bring it all together...Just now within the government there are about NINE different depts that carers come under and often they contradict or conflict with each other...I did email The Pulse and am going to send another email off to them laters...When i have time to sit and write the essay it will be LOL...For anyone reading who is a Carer or is someone who is being cared for and would like their carer to write in then they have a specific email addy to email...It is:- Whocares@itv.com They are talking about the approx 6 million unpaid carers like me and sara and other bloggers relatives who save this country a heck of a lot of money every year...Nearly 200,000 of that figure are young carers who are under 16 :o( Those are just the KNOWN figures there are countless others who aren't known about who probably don't even realise they are a carer...I could rant on and on an on an on for several days about my views but i will spare you all that reading <ggg> One thing that does piss me off big time is Carers Allowance...It was brought in by the tories back in the 80's as an income to replace the average weekly take home wage...Now i have been recieving it since 1993 and it was around £32 per week back then...Now it's £42 per week...If you're earning over approx £86 per week then you can't claim it...Sorry i do think that is wrong...Just because you are out say at a part time job doesn't mean that you're not being a carer once you're home from work & during the night & all weekend for over the 35+ hours per week required to get it...I know people who's job is the ONLY respite they get from caring...You should get carers allowance as long as you are caring for someone no matter wether you are working or not...As long as you do meet the required hours...I'd like to be working myself but after school care for teenagers is zilch let alone teenagers with a disability...Anyway the odds of trying to find an employer who'd be happy enough for you to take time off work to go to psychiatrist appointments, clinical psyh, speech therapy, etc etc are few and far between...Ooops promised i wouldn't rant am going to shut up now LOL...For any of you reading that this affects then do go and email itv...It's about time someone took up the cause and got us unseen 2nd class citizens a voice to be heard
3 comments:
Phew great entry ,found it all very interesting ,it came to me via the wireless device ...........Jan xx
Carers allowance is ridiculously low, it wouldn't be so bad if there was easy access to other services. The direct payment system in the UK is a farce.
As you know, I care for my partner 24/7 and only recieve 41 pounds a week, whereas her carer who only does 3.5 hours a day gets 300 pounds a week. Where's the justice in that?
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