My son has been in a privately rented flat, living on his own with carer support, for the last 10 years. He is very proud of his flat, it's far tidier than my place, but he's had endless problems with care providers and is socially very isolated.
Your Social Services Department at HQ level probably has a list of clients looking for special needs housing with support. Mainly for those coming out of long stay hospitals, where a lot of the money is coming from, but there is a county wide team.
I would suggest the ideal is a group of flats with a social area for them all to meet, so that sharing staff is easier.
Also, make sure your son's name is on the council waiting list as soon as possible. Apparently these are in the process of changing the priority process which might work to your son's advantage.
In the New Forest, there is only a gap of about £2 between son's rent and housing benefit, which he can easily cover as he gets both Care and Mobility PIP. Make sure your son gets the highest rates if he possibly can.
Mine has the "on call" service provided by another shared home 100 yards away, should he need it, and he also has an Oyster phone/tracker. Put that on your list of things to consider and arrange.
Undoubtedly, the key issue is the calibre of the staff.
Can they cook?
Can they add up or use a calculator? Staff will be managing his day to day money, and this is THE biggest problem area. I've been dealing with accounts for 40 years, and have provided easy to complete forms and offered to talk them through the forms. I thought they were idiot proof, but if staff refuse to use a calculator and can't do mental arithmetic, it causes endless problems. When your son is nearer to moving in, send me a PM and I'll fill you in.
Don't rely on social workers to protect your son from financial abuse, they are useless too!!
Including PIP etc, my son gets far more money per week than I do, and as I restrict the amount staff have access to, there is always some money in a reserve account that I control, to pay for all the usual household expenses. In the last year he's needed a new washing machine, for example, not provided by the landlord.
Your Social Services Department at HQ level probably has a list of clients looking for special needs housing with support. Mainly for those coming out of long stay hospitals, where a lot of the money is coming from, but there is a county wide team.
I would suggest the ideal is a group of flats with a social area for them all to meet, so that sharing staff is easier.
Also, make sure your son's name is on the council waiting list as soon as possible. Apparently these are in the process of changing the priority process which might work to your son's advantage.
In the New Forest, there is only a gap of about £2 between son's rent and housing benefit, which he can easily cover as he gets both Care and Mobility PIP. Make sure your son gets the highest rates if he possibly can.
Mine has the "on call" service provided by another shared home 100 yards away, should he need it, and he also has an Oyster phone/tracker. Put that on your list of things to consider and arrange.
Undoubtedly, the key issue is the calibre of the staff.
Can they cook?
Can they add up or use a calculator? Staff will be managing his day to day money, and this is THE biggest problem area. I've been dealing with accounts for 40 years, and have provided easy to complete forms and offered to talk them through the forms. I thought they were idiot proof, but if staff refuse to use a calculator and can't do mental arithmetic, it causes endless problems. When your son is nearer to moving in, send me a PM and I'll fill you in.
Don't rely on social workers to protect your son from financial abuse, they are useless too!!
Including PIP etc, my son gets far more money per week than I do, and as I restrict the amount staff have access to, there is always some money in a reserve account that I control, to pay for all the usual household expenses. In the last year he's needed a new washing machine, for example, not provided by the landlord.