Within the last few months we found it necessary to move our son from one day service provider to another.He was assessed some 6-7 years ago as needing day care 5 days each week after he left college at 24.His day service provider after assessment was with Somerset County Council and we were happy that he spent 5 days each week at the day centre.He travelled on a minibus which again was provide by the County Council transport and they picked him up and dropped him off at the end of the day.We had to pay for the transport because at the time I could not take him as I was working still.My wife does not drive, This year the County council gave their contract to an outside provider but kept the buildings.The outside provider was not coping and there was some unhappiness amongst all the frontline staff which unfortunately gave my son things to worry about,Most days he would come home reporting what some staff had said and we found this was not something we liked. We decided to move him to another provider of day service which other parents/carers had reported as being good.He was offered a couple of taster days free! He liked it so we wanted him to move .We got in touch with Social Services for Adult Learning disabled and they reported that he would need a review and it was overdue.Why did we wnt to move?I told them that it was making my son unhappywith anxiety.I canāt actually report that is what was happening because Thomas does not show symptoms of anxiety but he was talking repeatedly about things I did not like him saying.He was inwardly restless! We were getting angry with him! We had an assessment and we asked about Direct Payments. Yes we could do that.Direct Payments is paid by Somerset County Council for his day care at the rate set out by the Social worker or Assistant.Ā£55 aprox per day. We had a financial assessment by the FAB Team (they assess not my money but Thomas money) and as recently we applied for Universal Credit Thomas was expected to pay Ā£21.50 a week and County Council would pay the rest. We were visited by and independent adviser who explained what to do. I opened a separate bank account and each week (but now monthly) I paid into this account Ā£21.50 and SCC pay in 4 weeks money Ā£949.40.and when we get an invoice for his care I pay by bank transfer.I also pay from Thomas benefits the travel which ammounts to Ā£110 per month This account is for Thomas day care only and whist it is tempting it is not for elctric gas or my car or food and at the end of the year I have to produce a statement and receipts. There are still other day to day expenses such as drinks money he goes to gym and pays a few pounds here and there. We appear to be at a good place i get my OAP pension and my NHS pension and I am retired from work. Thomas appears very settled and life is now more fun. If Thomas is happy we are but there are still 3 in our marriage! I hope this helps and if I can help I will answer some questions.
Hello @charlie1
Thanks so much for sharing this. I am so glad that you are all settled now and that Direct Payments are working out for you.
Cheers Sarah
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