I have tried to get legal representation for me as a carer, and my brain damaged son. The first one seemed good, wrote to the LA, then left without warning. He was then replaced by a second, then a third, all for my son covered by legal aid, to no avail. Mum was dying, so I gave up. Later, not using legal aid, but directly funded, the same thing happened. 3 different solicitors who promised lots, delivered nothing. I had spent many hours preparing documents. So disappointing. Now I need a lawyer to try and get my Carers Assessment redone. The LA are being deliberately obstructive.
Iām wondering if CUK could find a lawyer who was interested enough in our cause to properly pursue councils who steadfastly refused to comply with their statutory duties? Iām prepared to pay a reasonable sum to get my life back before itās too late?
Hi @bowlingbun
Have you tried emailing the Carers Uk helpline?
@bowlingbun you could try emailing Luke Clements and team Legal Action Group | About Us
They may be able to sign post you, though they donāt have a helpline.
When Iāve needed legal aid and a solicitor for S (twice) the advocacy service were able to provide me with a list of solicitors
I tried his law practice some time ago, got a flat āNoā.
I was unaware of any Legal Action Group. Will try tomorrow.
@bowlingbun I have often thought that there must be some āno win no feeā solicitors who would take on the case of so many Carers. What about our human rights? We are just used as ācannon fodderā. I really hope you can find someone who can work with you.
@bowlingbun That sounds very frustrating and disappointing. It might be worth contacting The Law Society if you havenāt already: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/. You could also try the Free Legal Answers website: Free Legal Answers UK. They can respond to questions via email, which can be a helpful resource if you have any concerns or need clarification.
Iāve spent ages being repeatedly signposted to irrelevant or incompetent people, Iām afraid. After 6 different lawyers Iām very disillusioned.
Yes, in my experience the Law Society is not specific enough to help, and no-win no-fee cases are those where a large sum of compensation or similar may be awarded, so donāt work here. Mellyās suggestion of the LAG might work, though I have no experience of it, but they have been around for a long time and have a good reputation.
The silly thing is Iām very familiar with the law and support lots of other people but Hampshire are steadfastly determined to ignore their statutory duties, and chose to ignore an Ombudsmanās report! I made a subject access request recently, initially emailed to me in no particular order, so I asked for it in paper form, with numbered pages printed double sided. Still no onvious order, so now Iāve asked for it printed one sided. Theyāve just agreed and sent me an index, but itās still neither in date order or in order of author. Itās so bad Iām going to ask the Information Commissioner if thatās acceptable? Theyāve even said that any further reprint will cost me Ā£98. As I pointed out in my reply to that, no printing at all would have been needed if it was done properly in the first place!
which area of law did the lawyers who helped you cover? maybe thatās something that could be re-visited/expanded to try and find someone better?
They were recommended by the Disability Law Service! Supposedly Community Care Specialists. The first one was funded by Legal Aid, for my son. The second funded myself.
It just occurred to me that I slightly knew a woman who was a solicitor for Leigh Day. She was originally a midwife and later qualified and worked on difficult birth cases - just up your street, BB! The firm is often in the news, e.g. working for the Chagos islanders or for underpaid interpreters, and they say they represent āthe underdogā. So I wonder if they might either help you or give you a further referral. I think itās worth a phone call. https://www.leighday.co.uk/
Hi Bowling Bun, in case you havenāt thought about it already, Iām wondering if it might be worth you looking into the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They might be able to help.
Thatās an interesting idea. Many thanks.
Amen to that (sorry for replying to an old message). There are lots of people (myself included) who are stuck in a quandary- legally, emotionally and physically. Itās especially galling when you donāt know what to do or who to turn to. Itās finding these people that is the hard part. So regarding specialist carer lawyers, if there isnāt any, there should be. As for EHRC (thanks Walker_22031), I to will check it out. Couldnāt hurt.
Iāve just emailed them. Thank you.
@JohnnyBoy I have often thought this. OUR Human Rights seem to be stamped on? If I were in a position to leave financially, and buy somewhere else, I would simply go but sadly I am not. I do think that the way the Adult Social Care and the NHS treat Carers most whom are trying very very hard to keep the person they are trying to care for safe, is horrific. In so many cases when that person has Dementia or Mental Health Issues it is a total nightmare as they are so non compliant.
I hope it helps - just speculating.
With you there. It feels like the organizations (NHS and ASC) just love to stamp all over you. For me, I call it āAbusing their authorityā. Especially when it comes to distressing decisions (in my case, forcing my mum into a care home because of a very bad stroke). Itās not easy to move on when people such as us dedicate a lot of our lives to doing what we do. I do feel as well that Social Workers are the biggest culprits. Most of them love to ruin family members lives. Iām still trying to have my mother cared for at the family home again, but no-one wants to know. Iām also trying to sort legal paperwork (Court of Protection) just to reassert my rights and my mumās rights but, itāll take a lot of time just to sort everything out. These people and organizations love to mess up lives. Also, you are soooo right. It IS a nightmare when you get little to no response to any enquires. Non-compliance is their default option, most likely the only option. So, specialist carers lawyers would be wonderful. Someone to help fight your corner. Especially when you donāt know what to do. No wonder people like us and many others are at the end of our tether. Itās not nice when these people and organization make you feel useless and treat you like your the bad guy. No wonder certain people end up being mentally ill. If it wasnāt for lack of money and me trying to fight for the right to have mum cared for at home again, Iād be gone. It would be, bye bye UK.
It often feels like a heads you lose tails you lose situation. If we left our loved ones in a home a never visited weād be criticised for abandoning the. Keeping in touch and advocating for them, then we are interfering. If I say anything about Mās hobby ( he can drive a 10 ton steam engine single handed) itās āwhat Mrs. X wantsā. They refuse to even take him as a visitor to steam shows. I was told recently he āneeds to find another hobbyā. Then they tell me heās bored and putting on weight!?