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Family reunited thanks to intensive support plan

M is a young woman with significant learning disabilities who was living in supported accommodation for young, single mums.  Her 18 month old son, J, was in foster care and her partner and J’s father (B) was homeless and sleeping on his sister’s couch. The local authority wanted to help the family get back together in their own home.  M was receiving support in her supported accommodation around budgeting, shopping and parenting, and the couple also had regular input from a play therapist to enable them to interact better with their son

THE ISSUES

To enable the family to be reunited KEY needed to address the following:
Securing suitable housing for the family
Establishing a relationship between parents and KEY
Providing practical support to establish a stable home environment for son J
Arranging an ongoing programme of support for son J

SUPPORT PLAN

The first step was for a support provider to begin to establish a relationship with both M and her partner prior to the move to their own house .This support of five hours per week was funded through the local social work flexi-budget. When housing was secured through a local housing association, the housing support provider was asked to increase support to 30 hours per week, and M and B moved in at the end of October.  Social Work returned J to his mum and dad in the middle of November.  A phased return had previously been discussed but Social Work decided as M and B were coping so well alongside the support package that J should be returned immediately and that this was best for all concerned.

The family's support plan included help with:

• Finances – budgeting, paying bills
• Shopping, menu planning and cooking
• Other agencies – benefits agency, housing benefit, DLA
• Appointments – for all the family
• Practical household tasks.

PROGRESS MADE

It quickly became evident that M was coping so well that, following a re-assessment, it was agreed that the housing support could be reduced from 30 to 20 hours per week.  The housing support is being provided in close collaboration with the child’s care manager, nursery and health visitor, and the housing support is seen as the key factor in the child being back with the parents in their own home. J was diagnosed as having a learning disability – he is extremely hyperactive and has poor concentration.  This places extra pressure on his parents, especially M, and the housing support provider has been working alongside the Family Liaison Officer in terms of looking for regular respite care for J.

THE FUTURE

The family continues to live together in their own home despite these challenges, and with the ongoing support of the housing support provider who co-ordinates much of the other supports that help the family.