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Social Services Assessment of needs

Jenny Butterfly

Just had a social services/NHS assessment of my needs. Apparently every diagnosed adult is entitled to one so I said, yeah, why not, it might lead to something. My psychologist, with whom I've been working for several months, acted as a co-ordinator.

And, well, I'm puzzled. The social worker simply asked me about various areas of functionning (shopping, self care, travel etc) and, of course, I can do all of those. This much has been obvious all along and if I'd needed help with my toileting or eating it would have been obvious long ago (I'm 55).

I actually wanted help with my parenting, family dynamics, intergenerational issues and signposting to other services. Another mismatch and waste of public money, I think.

She asked about my alcohol intake and eating habits. I said, well, I drink a little too much and I comfort eat quite a bit. So she asked whether I'd like any help with that. I said, "It depends on the type of help available. If it involves teaching me the acceptable number of units for a woman each week or education about food groups etc, then no, if it involves looking at the drivers behind my behaviours and helping to address some of those, then yes." Of course, it was a "no" then.

Fed up. Apparently "help" has to come in the prescribed format and if you don't tick those boxes there isn't any. Not there anyway.

I await my next appointment for post-diagnostic services with a local autism charity with interest.

  • in reply to Sunflower

    Yes, this was taken into account and I am also in touch with the local carers association, who came round and talked to me for a couple of hours.  They've not been able to give me any specific help or advice so far but they want to take in the advice from the local autism charity after my appointment with them and then maybe review the situation.

    The crux of the matter is this:  my younger, "hikikomori" son will have nothing to do with services, has been deemed to have capacity and then uses this to refuse everything.  If he is asked to speak to them or be involved in any way, he will feel threatened and withdraw still further (this is what happened in the past with various mental health workers).  My older son is liable to get angry at any help which falls short so I need to be careful.  Basically the help needs to be with respect to me as a carer and parent and how to help and support them and access benefits etc with only very little or no involvement from them.  It's like a tinder box in this house.  

  • in reply to Jenny Butterfly

    Hi Jenny did the assessment also cover your role as a carer? These guidelines might be relevant: 

    www.scie.org.uk/.../eligibility-determination.asp

  • in reply to SkyBlueTurtle

    I'm not sure it's worth appealing as the social worker made it clear that help was only available to cover, I think, 5 areas of individual functioning, none of which I really felt I needed help with.  

    It did include help with socialising but here I explained that the barriers weren't to do with my own functioning (although they very much have been in the past) but the fact that our house has become a no go area due to the many issues with our sons and the consequent impact on family relationships and wellbeing (my older son is extremely angry and depressed after suffering various setbacks trying to transition into the adult world of work and relationships and he pins much of this on us as parents not noticing his difficulties at a much earlier age, our younger son is extremely mucky and reclusive and will hardly speak to us or even anybody).  This has been going on for years, in spite of seeking help, and I just don't want to see my former friends and listen to their tales about their own adult children and (now) grandchildren.

    They did seem to think that the local charity would be much note help but also emphasised that once again it would likely fall into categories to do with personal functioning and not autism-related family issues.  This upsets me because I'm a middle aged woman who, through years of struggling, has gained a lot of ground with respect to my own functioning, only to fall apart when massive family issues completely overwhelmed me.  I've consistently made it clear I want help with all of this.  It's deeply affecting my mental health - shaking me to my very soul in fact - and basically ruining our lives.  

    Overall I doubt I'll get the help I need but I have to keep going because otherwise the consequences for myself and those I love feel dire.  

  • Hello

    I am sorry you had your needs assessment didn't go well.

    I am a bit surprised they could not offer you support with the things you feel you need support with (parenting, family etc.). I had my assessment last week and told them one of the things I needed help with in particular was making friends and socialising, so basically relationships, and they were very happy to do this. I was awarded 10 hours of support a week, but for me this will also help me with other things I find difficult too. 

    Also I think if they decide that you arent eligible for support from them they are supposed to signpost you to services that can help, so at the very minimum you should have been told who would be able to help you.

    I wonder if you are able to appeal? The autism charity could possibly help you with this is you need support. A lady from an autism charity came with me and she was also able to identify things I hadn't considered so it might be helpful to go again if you can.

    Sorry I can't be more helpful, good luck with the autism charity Slight smile