Hi everyone,
I suspect that carers are finding my son too challenging even though they are part of a care/respite agency sub-contracted by local social services for 'challenging children and young adults'
This is week two and I have suspected that they have been struggling with him since session one but like everything, I gave it a chance to smooth out any teething problems.
They are two guys and they are supposed to take my son out into the community four days a week for five hours per session.
They also sometimes have access to a house owned by the agency as a sort of base but it's never guaranteed when it's going to be free to use.
Every session when they have taken my son out, usually 10am until 3pm they have brought him back early without warning or any explanation for their early arrival.
The first session was 2.30pm and they sat in my house with me until 3pm then went onto their new placement.
The next day when they arrived to collect my son, I asked them to text me if they are going to come back early to make sure that I am home. I explained that if I wasn't home then my son would become extremely anxious that he couldn't get into the house.
So that session, they texted me at 2.10pm saying that they were on their way back and they arrived at my house at 2.20pm and sat and chatted until 3pm then they left.
Every session they tell me about the behaviours my son has displayed and I've sensed that they are struggling with him but are not comfortable saying so.
I mentioned to the SW about a autism parent support group that I would like to try but it is in the evenings which is impossible for me to arrange care for my son.
The SW suggested using the agency for evening support so we changed this week's rota at the weekend meaning that yesterday support was scheduled for 3pm - 8pm instead of the usual 10am - 3pm.
The guys turned up just before 3pm and I noticed that one had a mark and scratch on his eyebrow and cheek. He pointed out to me that they were caused by my son. He did it in a half laughy/jokey way and half wanting me to know about it (though he had already told me about the incident the session before)
He also made a few subtle digs at me because the rota was changed last minute meaning he's missed out spending time with his daughter.
They eventually left though I could tell that my son didn't want to go with them.
I went shopping but got a call at 4.30pm to say that my son wasn't settling and whilst driving in the car, he kept taking his seatbelt off and trying to climb into the front. One of the guys sat in the back with him but he kept doing it.
I could tell that they wanted to bring him back but wanted me to say it rather than him.
I told them to bring him back and they said okay.
They arrived with him at 5.10pm and left at 5.30pm after telling me that driving with him is dangerous (I have no issues with driving with him) and how it's the worst they have seen him.
I just feel that they are finding his behaviour too difficult to manage but they don't want to say which is why they are bringing him back early at each session.
I no longer feel comfortable or confident that these men can manage him or that my son is happy going with them.
Spending hours and hours on parks each session is not ideal but that's what they always do with him even though I keep pushing for them to find a base for him as well as suggesting a local children's centre which would be perfect!
I have cancelled todays session and asked my SW to phone me.
Any advice would be welcome - thank you
I suspect that carers are finding my son too challenging even though they are part of a care/respite agency sub-contracted by local social services for 'challenging children and young adults'
This is week two and I have suspected that they have been struggling with him since session one but like everything, I gave it a chance to smooth out any teething problems.
They are two guys and they are supposed to take my son out into the community four days a week for five hours per session.
They also sometimes have access to a house owned by the agency as a sort of base but it's never guaranteed when it's going to be free to use.
Every session when they have taken my son out, usually 10am until 3pm they have brought him back early without warning or any explanation for their early arrival.
The first session was 2.30pm and they sat in my house with me until 3pm then went onto their new placement.
The next day when they arrived to collect my son, I asked them to text me if they are going to come back early to make sure that I am home. I explained that if I wasn't home then my son would become extremely anxious that he couldn't get into the house.
So that session, they texted me at 2.10pm saying that they were on their way back and they arrived at my house at 2.20pm and sat and chatted until 3pm then they left.
Every session they tell me about the behaviours my son has displayed and I've sensed that they are struggling with him but are not comfortable saying so.
I mentioned to the SW about a autism parent support group that I would like to try but it is in the evenings which is impossible for me to arrange care for my son.
The SW suggested using the agency for evening support so we changed this week's rota at the weekend meaning that yesterday support was scheduled for 3pm - 8pm instead of the usual 10am - 3pm.
The guys turned up just before 3pm and I noticed that one had a mark and scratch on his eyebrow and cheek. He pointed out to me that they were caused by my son. He did it in a half laughy/jokey way and half wanting me to know about it (though he had already told me about the incident the session before)
He also made a few subtle digs at me because the rota was changed last minute meaning he's missed out spending time with his daughter.
They eventually left though I could tell that my son didn't want to go with them.
I went shopping but got a call at 4.30pm to say that my son wasn't settling and whilst driving in the car, he kept taking his seatbelt off and trying to climb into the front. One of the guys sat in the back with him but he kept doing it.
I could tell that they wanted to bring him back but wanted me to say it rather than him.
I told them to bring him back and they said okay.
They arrived with him at 5.10pm and left at 5.30pm after telling me that driving with him is dangerous (I have no issues with driving with him) and how it's the worst they have seen him.
I just feel that they are finding his behaviour too difficult to manage but they don't want to say which is why they are bringing him back early at each session.
I no longer feel comfortable or confident that these men can manage him or that my son is happy going with them.
Spending hours and hours on parks each session is not ideal but that's what they always do with him even though I keep pushing for them to find a base for him as well as suggesting a local children's centre which would be perfect!
I have cancelled todays session and asked my SW to phone me.
Any advice would be welcome - thank you