My housing needs are being ignored, again

[Nystagmite]

Bit fed up now:

 

Been involved with social services on and off since I was 18 due to registering as partially sighted. Never really got help from them.

 

In December, I had a meeting with my then social worker and a friend. (the friend was there to help me - I can't always explain myself)

 

I was then passed on to someone else and this is where the problems began. She thought it was ok to take me to noisy places, despite having hypersensitive hearing. (Hyperacusis)

 

She can't understand that I need at least 24 hours notice. Or that I can't deal with strange people.

 

I asked her to come to a meeting with me at college. This ended with her and "disability support" both suggesting that my psychiatrist is a liar and that I don't have Autism; but have anxiety instead and that counselling would solve this issue. No-one has ever diagnosed or even suggested I have anxiety.

 

She then took me somewhere, which I wasn't happy with; as it was with a large group of strange people. I was then given a lecture on how I have to get a job. Bear in mind that DWP / ATOS have declared me unfit for work and have placed me in the support group. The letter from DWP says I don't have to look for work.

 

She then told me I have to meet someone and without my permission, passed my mobile number on. I was then contacted and asked about an appointment I suggested a date and wasn't given a response. I was then sent a text message 25 minutes before this appointment asking me if we're still meeting today. There were 2 weeks between the message I sent and the appointment. Call me unreasonable; but is it too much to ask for someone to confirm an appointment and give me more than 25 minutes notice?

 

Around this time, I started getting ill and was having a load of personal issues. (I was being harassed) I had to keep putting appointments off and was sent an email. This email basically told me if you don't meet me on Wednesday, I am not working with you. Am I not allowed a life? I'd made plans with friends to do stuff.

 

My social worker then left.

 

After this, I sent an email to social services explaining what happened and received a phone call where I was asked to identify my care needs. Something I am not able to do. I also have a few complex medical conditions. She informed me that she's my new social worker.

 

I received an email yesterday regarding a meeting next Monday. Except, I can't make it. I have no way of getting there and don't know the area at all. The response to me saying that was, being told the name of the road. That still means nothing to me. I have a vague idea where it is; but it's about 7 miles away with no direct bus route. The closest bus that would take me there, involves a 30 minute walk to a strange place.

 

I am getting fed up now. I am constantly being put with people who don't understand my needs and think doing things to me that hurt is ok. I have explained time and time again that noise hurts and that I can't deal with strange people. But no-one's listening to me.

[mr_mastiff]

Nystagmite, The comments made by the disability advisor and social worker were made out of ignorance. They made a very common mistake of trying to match symptoms to a condition without the background knowledge or depth of training to come up with the correct diagnosis.

 

I have very little knowledge of Autism and I can only give advice on the details you have given.

 

I have had quite serious health problems and many of my problems related to memory and going to new places etc. I found it useful to have a record of my conditions and the needs related to them. I also have a list of both physical and psychological difficulties I experience . That way when I meet new people who will be involved with my conditions they have an accurate picture of my needs from my point of view.

 

Could you not e-mail this new social worker with an explanation of your difficulties and suggest that an alternative venue would be more productive in her assessment of your needs. State that you need to feel safe in order to give full expression to your requirements.

[Nystagmite]

Thank you

[speedfreek]

For a guide to how you should be treated see here

 

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B712FA67-DD9E-41CA-848B-48900ECAEC1C/0/ServingDisabledCustomers0405.pdf

 

Every organisation you meet should have something very similar although the ideas contained seam to get lost in the field. A polite reminder that you know your rights and wish a copy of their own DDA policy/procedures sometimes works wonders. Request a copy of it!

 

Question?;

 

1 who does knows about your issues?

 

2 Have they been documented?

 

3 Could you get them documented?

 

Say for example -

 

Copy of certain bits of your patient records.

DLA/ESA awards and application/GP/specialist filled in forms

A close friends and/or relatives view of.

Your view of your needs taken from the above added too and summarised in letter format.

 

 

I have exactly the same issue with people making assumptions. What I have done is using my patient records put together document packs. Basically a copy of everything relevant from my patient records plus a letter detailing my thoughts. It also has copies of my benefit awards. I have a couple of different ones for different situations. So my medical treatment history and housing pack atm.

 

Anybody going to me well..... I go see here, here and here. Non of this helps if like me you're now thrust into a situation you can not handle, with people with expectations you can not meet, basically due to the issues you face.

 

 

You should also put in writing that for all referrals a copy of it has to be sent to you. Not only is this good practice (which to often gets lost in the field) but it gives you time to prepare to educate the person you are meeting with and the person referring you of any mistakes. It should really be agreed by you 1st before it's sent but in my experience it rarely happens.

 

 

I asked her to come to a meeting with me at college. This ended with her and "disability support" both suggesting that my psychiatrist is a liar and that I don't have Autism; but have anxiety instead and that counselling would solve this issue. No-one has ever diagnosed or even suggested I have anxiety.

 

Shouldn't happen but always does. Also remember that when you are a bit wobbly you may be perceiving things a little differently to reality. So an innocent comment might take on a life of it's own. You thought about covert audio recording?

 

I was then given a lecture on how I have to get a job.

 

I've had a GP do this to me. Amazingly the GP practice was affiliated with the advice service that had handled both my 2 ESA and DLA applications plus 3 appeals. I thankfully am not longer at this practice!

 

I really need to follow my own advice but at times am basically too ****ed!

[Nystagmite]

Thanks. Because I'm incurable, there's not a huge amount documented of my difficulties. I've already had an assessment (or part of) from my old social worker. I can't understand why this wasn't ever passed on.

 

Shouldn't happen but always does. Also remember that when you are a bit wobbly you may be perceiving things a little differently to reality. So an innocent comment might take on a life of it's own. You thought about covert audio recording?

 

Not thought about recording it, no. And the comment certainly wasn't innocent. The conversation actually went "I don't think you have Autism. I think my father has it and you're nothing like him. You just have anxiety. You should just go to Mind and get some counselling". The support worker who was with me, then agreed.

[speedfreek]

Thanks. Because I'm incurable, there's not a huge amount documented of my difficulties. I've already had an assessment (or part of) from my old social worker. I can't understand why this wasn't ever passed on.

 

 

 

Not thought about recording it, no. And the comment certainly wasn't innocent. The conversation actually went "I don't think you have Autism. I think my father has it and you're nothing like him. You just have anxiety. You should just go to Mind and get some counselling". The support worker who was with me, then agreed.

 

Have you can you get hold of a copy of that assessment?

 

I've found that everybody now insists that you have to tell them. This seams to preclude them from actually reading anything that has been written about you. Especially when that might tell them that the situation they are inviting you too will/could be very dangerous for you.

 

 

That second bit is complaint territory as it is making diagnosis/treatment assumptions based on something they have no training in.

 

I'm expecting trouble with a Council Support team next week which is why I am taking the Councils own policy with me in case of issues.

[Nystagmite]

I have now had an email from the lady who is meant to be working with me. It has been decided that an assessment will be done after I have somewhere to live. Having thought about it, it does make more sense, I think.

[Nystagmite]

This is getting ridiculous now:

I am partially sighted, have a hearing impairment, have Autism and a serious brain condition.

 

I currently live in my parents house, which has 5 steps to the house and we live on a main road.

 

It has been decided that I am in the lowest band and need a house with maximum of 3 steps. I have stated on my application that my parents house has 5 steps to the entrance and due to my disabilities, (my balance is affected) it's becoming difficult to get in and out of the house safely. My disabilities mean that I have no depth perception. The edge of the steps are painted yellow. This is now good when it's dark and the light we have on the house is bright, meaning I can't see the yellow.

 

The argument from social services and the council is that I have somewhere to live. Yes, I do; but that somewhere is unsuitable. The main roads mean there's a serious risk of me getting run over because I can't see that well. There are 3 roads near me and whichever road I take, there's a serious risk that I will get run over.

 

What are my options now please? I've emailed them, stating I want to appeal and have explained the above. There's also very little information regarding the bandings. that I can find. (I am in Plymouth)

[rebel11]

Hi Nyst

 

Here's some info, not sure if it has been updated:-

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7821/138595.pdf

[Nystagmite]

Thanks.

 

Despite emailing the housing department several times, I've not had a single response from them.

[ploddertom]

Have you involved your local Councillor(s)?

[Nystagmite]

No I haven't. I did involve my local MP on an issue I was having a few years ago. I was informed that he's an ambassador for the company and despite the fact they were quite clearly breaking the law, (despite their ridiculous claims) nothing was done about it. Kinda reluctant to involve him again.

[ploddertom]

I'd be inclined to try your Councillor(s) details should be available from the Council website or try https://www.writetothem.com/ . In my view Councillors are available 7 days per week up to approx 9pm and best initial contact is by phone. If they refuse or are reluctant then go to straight to the Leader of the Council and their opposite number.

[king12345]

Please don't get upset about my questions, I'm not trying to say you're exaggerating, but just to understand the facts.

You say there are 5 steps where you live and you need max 3. Is there a handrail to these steps?

If so, the council would probably think that if you aren't registered as mobility impaired this is temporarily ok and not urgent.

Don't you have pavements outside your home?

Why do you have to step straight into the road?

Isn't there any traffic lights or zebra crossing to go to other roads?

 

These will be the questions that the council will ask you, so better be prepared.

If the road layout is suitable they will just send you a street plan marking where you can cross safely.

They don't care that you have to walk 500 yards to get to a safe crossing, as long as it is in the "vicinity" (grey area here).

They are struggling with council accommodations, so when you're not homeless you automatically become a non-priority.

Every time I go to my civic centre I see families who claim they're homeless and need accommodation pronto, so the resources are drained by the most urgent cases.

[Nystagmite]

There's no handrail due to lack of space. There are no traffic lights on those roads. To make everything slightly worse, most of one of the roads is DY lines and a lot of cars are parked on the pavement. This makes it much harder for me to cross the road safely. I am also not able to see far enough to see whether cars are coming. That's true whatever direction I wish to walk in.

 

There's no such thing as registering as mobility impaired. I am registered as partially sighted / sight impaired and they know from the forms I filled in, that I am also hearing impaired, (I can't clearly hear more than one sound at once) I have balance problems and am Autistic.

[Consumer dude]

There's no handrail due to lack of space. There are no traffic lights on those roads. To make everything slightly worse, most of one of the roads is DY lines and a lot of cars are parked on the pavement. This makes it much harder for me to cross the road safely. I am also not able to see far enough to see whether cars are coming. That's true whatever direction I wish to walk in.

 

There's no such thing as registering as mobility impaired. I am registered as partially sighted / sight impaired and they know from the forms I filled in, that I am also hearing impaired, (I can't clearly hear more than one sound at once) I have balance problems and am Autistic.

 

Get your parents to evict you..

[stu007]

Been through this myself with housing and the best advice I can give you is to get a letter from your Hospital Consutlant, now the but it must state due to your medical condition (they do not have to state your condition) they advise you need to be rehoused in a XX bed property and it must be (i.e ground level, maximum of 3 steps, have wheelchair access etc).

 

They need to be specific in the letter otherwise the housing will just treat it as normal housing needs.

 

A letter from the Hospital Consultant treating you is better as it adds weight to your application.

 

Myself it took 3 letters from my hospital consultant as they need to be specific in what they ask for.

 

Also with the housing did you by any chance fill in a Medical Needs Form to be rehoused?

[Nystagmite]

I don't have a consultant any more. I'm largely incurable; so I only see the doctor for medication as and when I need it.

 

I did indeed fill in a medical needs form. I was told to fill one in again, which I did and it was ignored. They told me they'd send me a form to fill in, regarding my needs. I had to tell them more than once that the last time they did this, it was in a format I can't read. It then took a few emails from me for someone to tell me to fill in a form on the website.

 

Talking to the housing department is like talking to a brick wall. I've lost count of the amount of emails I've sent them asking what's going on with my appeal. I can't use the phone because of my hearing / hardly anyone understands me when I talk.

 

I think part of the problem is, that because I can and do walk, they don't think I have any mobility needs. But my balance is rather poor and I have no depth perception, which makes walking downstairs rather difficult. It's also becoming harder where it's getting darker.

 

Looks like a trip to the GP too see if they can write me a letter. Hopefully, I'll get somewhere with this. Kinda fed up of all this. They've not listened to anything I've said at all.

[Mr.P]

Have you tried contacting your local RNIB office to see if anyone could help kicking the council in to touch ?

[Nystagmite]

Urgh. Finally got through to someone. They admitted they hadn't even read my form before sending the standard letter telling me what band I'm in.

 

On a much more positive note, I received an email yesterday. I have a flat viewing on Thursday afternoon.

[Nystagmite]

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the new rules of who will be entitled to a blue badge at the end of August please? All I can find is some people with mental health issues / learning disabilities. But nothing for people like me who receive enhanced mobility PIP who have (amongst things) dual sense loss. But because I'm "only" sight impaired / partially sighted, I can't get a blue badge currently.

 

I don't get any points (and I doubt it's why I got any for mobility) for PIP for my Autism either.

[honeybee13]

Hi Nystagmite, nice to see you.

 

I'll have a look online but you probably know more than I do. Have you asked your GP what they know about the new rules or does a charity that deals with one of your conditions have any information?

 

If you want to tell us, what are the reasons for you needing to park near shops and so on please?

 

HB

[Nystagmite]

1 hour ago, honeybee13 said:

Hi Nystagmite, nice to see you.

 

I'll have a look online but you probably know more than I do. Have you asked your GP what they know about the new rules or does a charity that deals with one of your conditions have any information?

 

If you want to tell us, what are the reasons for you needing to park near shops and so on please?

 

HB

Hi HB,

 

I've had a look online myself and the rules are vague. They (I think) have only been released within the last few days.

 

Why I need one - whilst I do hear some things, I don't hear where sound comes from. I've lost more of my vision and now have tunnel vision in one eye plus rather limited vision in my slightly better eye. Whilst obviously I'm not driving, it would make life much easier to park closer to the entrance and exits.

[AndyOrch]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/review-of-blue-badge-fraud-as-scheme-is-extended-to-those-with-hidden-disabilities

 

https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2019-06-14-blue-badge-what-happens-next.aspx

[stu007]

Also:

 

People with hidden disabilities to benefit from Blue Badges

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/people-with-hidden-disabilities-to-benefit-from-blue-badges

 

National Autistic Society - Blue Bade Update

https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2019-06-14-blue-badge-what-happens-next.aspx