Belated Thoughts on the Social Care Green Paper

Were any of you aware that the Government has launched "The Big Care Debate", in conjunction with its Green Paper on Social Care? No, me neither.

The Green Paper is interesting in that it seemingly appears to address the use of services for the over 65s in the main, with little or no attention given to those who also require ongoing care, but require it due to a disability of some kind. There also appears to be a large emphasis on service users paying for the pleasure of using said services.

In a country that claims to be so proud of its state funded health service that a 'trending topic' has been started on Twitter of 'We Love The NHS' to counteract some of the less articulate arguments currently emanating from America in regards to proposals that, they too, have a publicly funded health system, we appear to have little to say on these new proposals which would see a swing towards the current US care system for those requiring long term care.

It has been suggested that under the proposed National Care Service, the average payment that a person over the age of 65 would be required to pay would be £31,700. This would be for their care alone, and accommodation costs would be placed on top of this, should the elderly person "be able to afford it."

There is also the suggestion that the government might "consider integrating some elements of disability benefits to create a new offer for individuals with care needs." This would include Attendance Allowance, which would see it being ploughed back into paying for the care received, essentially robbing this most vulnerable sector of the community of valuable funds that it could be argued assist them in keeping their dignity. It has been suggested that for younger adults their DLA will also be "integrated" so as to pay for their care, rather than for them to be able to use in a way that they feel is appropriate, but this is an issue that remains unanswered.

As the parent of an autistic child, I find these proposals worrying to put it mildly. Autism is a lifelong disability, and it does not cease, as some seem to think, because you have stopped giving your child wheat based products (yeah, thanks Jenny McCarthy) or because you have reached the age of 18. I will not be alive for ever, and on late nights when the day has seemed extremely long, I will fret over who will care for my child. It has been known for me to cry myself to fitful sleep over what may be his future - who will care for him? Will he be ok?

In this time of economic depression, I acknowledge that supporting children like my son costs the country as a whole millions, from his initial diagnosis (which was 8 months ago) until he no longer needs support. We've already found that there is a huge disparity between services offered in different areas - in Wandsworth, there was a deluge of services, in Hertfordshire there are very little, and those that do exist are extremely hard to access. So bad are they that I am currently trying to approach our local children's centre about starting a support group there.

With no discussion of a portability of services - that is to say a consistent service offered nationwide so, should a disabled young person move they will be able to access the same services, only a portability of a person's assessment of need (whether a person is entitled to the care, whether or not the service is available), what is to be done?

Simply, we can join in the debate and have a voice and an opinion. As Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said; "There is a huge shortfall in social care funding which urgently needs to be addressed and it's absolutely crucial that reform is not at the expense of those who may need a lifetime of support. People with lifelong conditions, such as autism, may be less able to save and pay for their social care. If the government is serious about giving people with autism the same rights and opportunities as everyone else we must have a system that is both fair and affordable for all."

The "Big Care Debate" is currently on tour until 13th November. For more information, and ways to express your opinion, please check the following website for more details.
http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/news/2009/08/the-big-care-debate-goes-on-tour/

If you care for an adult with autism and learning difficulties, and you are concerned about your child's future, please contact HOPE : givemehope@helphope.org.uk , or visit their website at http://www.helphope.org.uk/
"HOPE is a UK charity that champions and supports adults who have a combination of autism and learning disabilities. "