Randomly following the rules
By Sue
My son is profoundly deaf, partially sighted, has epilepsy and a severe learning disability. He lives in his own supported living flat.
I can remember a time when social care was not regulated well, leading to all sorts of bad practice. Now social care is awash with rules and regulations, most of which are essential in order that people who are disabled are safe and happy in their chosen lives.
Where problems arise is when no common sense is used in implementing the regulations. Recently the manager at my son’s flat has been told that they cannot hold a team meeting in his flat, nor can he be present at the team meeting. The manager cannot understand this ruling as she does not discuss individual team members at this meeting – this is done in supervisions. What they discuss is all concerned with the service that my son receives.
He is a very sociable person and loves to have visitors to his flat and has ample provision to not allow staff members in if he chooses; they ring the bell and he lets them in. He loves the team meetings and takes part when he recognises a subject that he is interested in. At other times he sits with staff and looks at photos, or draws pictures to amuse himself. Two of the staff are deaf, so BSL is used all the time.
We have ample evidence that he wants the meeting to be held in his flat and enjoys having all his staff there. One time when I arrived to take him shopping as it was his birthday, he was very reluctant to come with me. All the time we were out he was signing that he wanted to go home to the meeting and in the end, as he was so disinterested in shopping, we went home. He was delighted and immediately joined the staff as the table and dismissed me.
I am so pleased that he has learned to make his choices known, but puzzled why in this case we have to take no notice of his choice. How does that make him feel? He can choose what to do, but only when the rule-makers allow him to. It must be so confusing for him.
Lets make sure that we are acting in the best interest of the person concerned and not just randomly following the rules.
Comments
Virginia Thornton
4 December 2012 - 9:40am
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Surely your son should decide what happens in his own flat. I can see that it isn't usual for work meetings to take place in someone's home, so staff shouldn't assume they can meet here. But if that's what he wants where's the personalisation?
Sue
9 December 2012 - 9:42pm
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Yes, and very confusing for him - we have spent a long time getting him to be confident enough to make choices for himself, only for that choice to be taken from him for no good reason. Luckily common sense has prevailed and he is delighted to be attending his service meetings.
Vecchia
13 December 2012 - 8:35am
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Why is it only "my choice" when it suits the powers that be? Well done for sticking to your guns and empowering your son. Life long battling is the name of the game for we parents!
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