Preparing for Community Care assessments.

It's easier to talk about the support you might need if you know what you need and when you need it.

If you can, keep a note of what you do every day for a week. 

Note your own needs and what you need to do for your children and family.

Note what you need support with, when you need it, and what you can manage yourself.

Note how you get support now, or if you don't get support, and if you have to rely on your children or other helpers.

Then think about what you do less often that you might need support with.

Think about what you would like to be able to do that most families take for granted.  What support would you need to be able to enjoy these things together?

Think about what happens if you are ill, and if not having support makes it more likely that you will be ill. 

Here are some things to think about for yourself and what you have to do as a parent.

For yourself: Support with 

personal care and toileting,

getting up and going to bed,

dressing and getting around your home,   

cooking meals and eating,

washing clothes and sometimes, ironing,

keeping your home clean,

helping to stay warm,

taking prescribed medicines,

Help during the night as well as during the day.

For you as a parent: Support with

Keeping your child safe indoors and outside,

Involving your child in outdoor and indoor play and

exercise, 

Preparing meals for your child,

Looking after your child’s health needs,

Getting into your child’s bedroom,

Supervising bathtime, changing nappies and clothes,
Washing and ironing their clothes,


 

Managing the family budget
(the money coming in and going out),

Shopping for family needs,

Taking children to school and meeting friends,

Helping your child with homework and talking to your child’s teachers,

Having a social life with your child,

Seeing your child if your family has split up,

Keeping contact with your child if they are being looked after.

You might not get all you ask for.

It might not be the way you most like.

Social Services can say what they can do within the resources they have.

If you are offered support that doesn't do what you need, or if it isn't successful when you get it, talk again to your social worker.

If talking does not improve your situation, consider making a complaint.



Adults can say "No" if they don't want the support that's offered for their own personal needs.

Sometimes, saying you don't want support for doing things as a parent, or for your child, could mean your child doesn't get all the support they need. If this happens, talk again to your social worker. Plan a better way that you can work with.  Ask for an advocate or friend to help you if needed.

Norfolk Disabled Parents Alliance can give you more information and help you make your views known if services are not working for you.

More on Getting Assessments .

More information.

Disabled Parents Network Information Briefings give detailed information about assessments and other issues disabled parents need to know. They are free for disabled parents. 

www.DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk