cathcart3303 Report post Posted June 12, 2013 Bearing in mind T has been out of school for 18 months and has had no educational input CAMHS asked the Duty Social Worker to attend a meeting at my house last November in which a service Dimensions was suggested. Using his DLA was suggested by SW to pay for this. I contacted Dimensions and they said they needed a contract with LA or School and the child needed a statement.After Autism Day I had info on Dimensions which I presented at Section 17 meeting. SW was sick so manager was there. She denied any knowledge of this service although I thought that was what the meeting was about! She had in mind a support worker and she went away to think about it despite all professionals agreeing T needs specialist help. The SW rang me to say T is on list for support worker (not autism specific). I asked if they had carried out a core assessment on T which she said they were in the process of. I asked about Dimensions which she dismissed unless I was willing to pay with DLA. I get £100 DLA for T a week. I said I am happy to put this money towards it. SW is going to speak to Dimensions and said it was about £15 an hour.. So DLA will pay for 6 1/2 hours. It was suggested he needs fulltime for 10 weeks by CAMHS as this worked for another child like T.My questions: Is it right that a child can only get limited help with what there parents can pay via DLA when his needs are so much greater? He is due a final statement so should it address how they are going to help him access education which is due to his disability? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekster Report post Posted June 12, 2013 You normally have to pay for the 1st 4 hours and then anything above isn't charged at least with adults. Could you claim carers allowance and use that to pay towards his care as well? Below is a link to the NAS page about getting help for autistic children. http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/care-and-benefits-for-children-and-families/care-support-for-children-with-autism/social-services-getting-help-for-children-england-and-wales.aspx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites