Husband needs to move from care home

Specific disabilities and conditions
1

Hello,

My husband has ASD and late onset schizophrenia. He has lived in a residential care home for over a year. Assessments by the home, OT and social worker show that he is capable of living in supported housing and does not require full time residential care.

My husband wants to move closer to me and our youngest son. I would like my husband to be closer to me, so that i can see him every day and be a more effective part of his informal network of support. We put an application to the local authority for housing and he was awarded Gold (priority) status.

My husband has now received news from the local authority stating that he is no longer on priority status because he is housed in the care home and there is no danger of him becoming homeless.

I would like to know if we have any chance of challenging this decision. Reports show my husband does not need residential care and would benefit from more independent living arrangements closer to his wife and son.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

2

Hello Janet. It has been a few days and you seem to have had no response so I’ll see if I can help.

I have little experience in dealing with local authorities, but based on what I have read on this forum over the last eight years, I don’t think your chances of getting its decision overturned are great. But you can try. Possibly Citizens’ Advice could help, or you could try the carers’ helpline on. 0808 808 7777

Regardless, it would be helpful if you could provide a bit more information.

  • How much money has your husband to his name?
  • Who is paying the care home? Is he self-funding or is the local authority assisting?
  • How old are you and your husband?
  • Are you in employment?
  • Are there any housing associations in your area where you could enquire?

This information would be useful to us and to others where you might enquire.

1 Like
3

Thank you Dennis,

I can see the local authority’s point. My husband is not homeless nor is he at risk of homelessness. However, he has been assessed as being able to live in supported rather than residential care, and he would like to move closer to me and our youngest son, where we can deliver informal support.

My husband is 65. He has no income apart from a small pension and benefits. The local authority pay the majority of his care costs, and my husband makes a contribution. he has had a financial assessment. I am in full time employment. The housing associations in my local area are part of the local bidding scheme.

We have contacted my husband’s social worker to see if she can help.

4

Thanks, Janet. It is always good to see others’ point of view, even if it does not align with your wishes. It seems to me that it would save the local authority some money if he were to be found sheltered accommodation, and maybe this could be used as a lever. But ultimately it is a case of when accommodation becomes available. It is a good idea to ask the social worker for help; advice does not come just from the official sources. But keep up your other enquiries.