Summary
C provides care to their child (A) who is an adult living in their own tenancy. A has a learning disability, is registered blind, has some hearing loss and has epilepsy. A receives care in their property under Self Directed Support (SDS).
C provides care for A when other carers are not present. This is done around C's full-time work. C receives six weeks of respite provision. C has requested an increase in A's support as they are struggling to provide the extra care A needs in their tenancy.
The partnership proposed that A share their two bedroom home with another service user so they could 'pool' their care packages. Alternatively, A could move to a different tenancy with support already in place. C, who holds welfare power of attorney for A, has declined these options, saying A is more settled and confident living alone in their own tenancy.
We took independent advice from a social work adviser. The partnership are obliged to follow the Self Directed Support Act 2013. We found that the parternship had followed that legislation and considered both A's needs and C's needs as a carer. That the available options (sharing accommodation or entering residential care) are not ones C wishes to pursue, does not mean they are unreasonable options in and of themselves. We did not uphold this complaint.
Related reading
View Decision Report 201906085 as a PDF (24.45 KB) Updated: May 19, 2021