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Aggressive social worker plan

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  • Aggressive social worker plan

    Hello,


    I am wondering if someone can advise me on this matter. I am a carer for my mother suffering from schizophrenia. They have been suffering the illness for around 13 years, but to make matters more difficult. My mother is trying to care for her special needs son, so I practically caring for both.


    Cut to the present, my mother has struggled not only to care for herself, but for her son (my brother) and now due to me raising my brother's failing health due to neglect of care, my brother is in long term respite. As many of you might already know, some suffers of schizophrenia can be suspicious and at times weary of those who are there to help, but now since social services have intervined, I have found them to be more aggressive in their plans concerning my brother.


    At one meeting concerning a review of my brothers care, my mother was asked what was her plans for her sons care after her death and she struggled to answer, but was clearly unwell. The social worker suggested that she should sell the house and all the proceeds go to another carer who will look after my brother. My mother agreed, but I felt asking such an incredilbly important question to do with property was not the best thing to ask to someone clearly unwell. Within a month later my brother was taken from my mother and put in long term respite, which meant the social worker knew full well that my mother was clearly unwell.


    So I am thinking, why are they planning so far ahead like this and what about the next of kin or other family members? I feel I would want to contest this plan if it ever goes ahead because years ago when my mother was in a better mental state, the house was to be shared.


    Unfortunately, I do not own the property, there is no power of attorny and to make matters worse, my mother has decided to come off her medication, which means relaspe is highly likely. Can anyone offer any ideas? I plan to see the social workers manager about such a plan stating it is aggressive and it was not good form to ask such a thing to my mother who was not well at the time.
    Tags: None

  • #2
    Re: Aggressive social worker plan

    Hi and welcome and I am deeply sorry for the situation you are in, it is one of the hardest roles there is being a carer and feeling you are not getting the proper help and advice you need makes matters aften worse.

    Firstly your mum, a very horrible illness that is very misunderstood, my best friends mum had it and I know what she went through helping her.
    I am presuming your mum has regular check ups and her meds reviewed. My friend always knew before the 'experts' when her mums meds needed changing as soon as she changed her behaviour. She would often go in hospital and be reassessed and stayed in till they were sure her meds were controlling her illness. I do hope your mum is getting proper treatment and any outside help she needs and is entitled to, you yourself do not have to cope on your own.

    Your brother you say has 'special needs' just what is his condition and how much help does he need ? How old is he?
    He is now in long term respite which really is not a permanent place for him and he needs stability, you need to ask as to the alternatives for him in the long term. He should be entitled to help and care in his own right if he is properly assessed and for the social worker to even hint that your mum should pay for care for him is out of order imo.
    It is not wrong for the social worker to be thinking about future needs etc, but they must be what is apt and approved by all concerned.

    Just a note on your mum if she comes off her meds and she has a severe relapse she is at risk of being sectioned and please don't take this as a bad thing, it is only done to ensure your mum gets the treatment she needs.

    Hope this helps a little and do have a google, there are loads of sites offering help and info about 'special needs' children
    All the best Enaid x
    Last edited by enaid; 10th September 2014, 07:30:AM.

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    • #3
      Re: Aggressive social worker plan

      Thanks for the reply,

      You have very thoughtful answers and they are very helpful. My brother has autism, so he can't speak and has a limited understanding of his surroundings. For years I have been trying to get him better care, but my mother was too ill to understand, eventually when my mother went to hospital for acute pain, they acted and put my brother in long term respite, which I was happy for him to go, although regretfully having to do that.

      My mother is certainly at risk of being sectioned, she has come off her meds 2 times already and has been sectioned around 5 times, each time I have had to sign those horrible forms and each time my mother becomes more hostile to me, I feel the social worker is using that hostility against me and feels it easier to have the family tear itself apart, which is why he pressurized my mother at the meeting in order for me to give up trying to be there and care for her.

      I am certainly going to complain to his manager, but I do not want to go in blind either. As you can see for 13 years I have singly had to try care for my brother and mother by myself. A very difficult thing to bare and now social services although with good intentions, can end up making things much worse for myself and my mother.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Aggressive social worker plan

        I would like to add, my mother is not really getting any check ups or care, which is why I had to move back in with her and try fight her case, she is so ill that she has lack of insight into her condition, but when I raise this with her care coordinator, they just say that this is her decision and it is not a state of mental ill health, I agree with them somewhat, but a crisis or care plan should at least be drawn up to limit the damage.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Aggressive social worker plan

          My heart goes out to you, but you must get your mum a proper and effective care plan. If you can go to your mums GP although not always the very best help it is often where you must start. If your mums GP wont discuss your mums condition fully then go to your own GP and explain fully what's going on and your concerns.
          Just my opinion and I am no way an expert, it seems if you get your mum the help she really needs then you are more than halfway through this awful situation. Meds are often just repeat scripts now and unless your mum is assessed medically on a regular basis there is no proof they are working or indeed not doing her more harm than good. Just as an example my dad was on a water tablet for years and not till he went to another doctor was it disclosed he had been on it so long he was at risk of a heart attack.
          It seems your brother is ok where he is at the moment as far as you are concerned, I hope that is the same for him.
          I have popped 3 links on here and I do hope they can be of use.
          I have found out over the last few years how easy it is for carers to be left to their own devices and how easy it is for them to give up having no help.
          Do also pop on the Carers UK forum or find your local one they are great even if you only need a chat.
          You should also let your GP know you are a carer as you should get regular health checks yourself and also a chance to talk of your situation.

          http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNH...0services.aspx

          http://www.schizophrenia24x7.com/?gc...FYXJtAodz24Acw


          http://www.autism-care.com/?gclid=CK...FabLtAodBmoALg

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Aggressive social worker plan

            At one meeting concerning a review of my brothers care, my mother was asked what was her plans for her sons care after her death and she struggled to answer, but was clearly unwell. The social worker suggested that she should sell the house and all the proceeds go to another carer who will look after my brother. My mother agreed, but I felt asking such an incredilbly important question to do with property was not the best thing to ask to someone clearly unwell. Within a month later my brother was taken from my mother and put in long term respite, which meant the social worker knew full well that my mother was clearly unwell.


            So I am thinking, why are they planning so far ahead like this and what about the next of kin or other family members? I feel I would want to contest this plan if it ever goes ahead because years ago when my mother was in a better mental state, the house was to be shared.
            I would recommend seeking professional legal advice on this part of your issue with the property.
            Any opinions I give are my own. Any advice I give is without liability. If you are unsure, please seek qualified legal advice.

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            Comment

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