Securing Stability: Protecting Essential Care for Independent Living
Our client, a disabled person with significant longstanding care and support needs, faced an urgent reduction in his care package from 24 hour support to just 4 hours per day.
A man hugging his dog
He had previously been unable to sustain shared living placements due to placement breakdowns.
Although the Council had initially completed an assessment confirming his existing support remained appropriate, it later carried out a second assessment without involving the client, his family or support network.
The new assessment reduced his identified eligible needs despite acknowledging he required support with all aspects of daily living and concluded, without explanation, that his needs could be met without paid support.
The proposed reduction was due to take place within 7 days, without lawful care and support planning or any explanation as to how the client’s eligible needs would continue to be met safely.
What we did
Access Social Care urgently reviewed the Council’s assessments and proposed reduction in support, identifying concerns about the assessment process and the lack of clear care and support planning. We submitted a detailed complaint, liaised closely with the client, family and care provider, and supported the family to obtain specialist legal representation.
Following further legal correspondence from the external solicitors instructed, the Council reinstated the client’s full 24 hour care package.
Impact of the outcome
The outcome ensured that the client was able to remain safely in his home with continuity of care and support. It prevented a sudden and significant reduction in support which would likely have caused distress and increased risks to the client’s wellbeing and safety. The support from Access Social Care and the external solicitor also ensured that the client and his family were properly involved in decisions about his care and support.
If you have similar queries, please do get in touch on enquiries@accesscharity.org.uk