Ayrshire mum 'needs answers' on disabled daughter's support

Aileen Reid, from Logan, says she has been chasing up East Ayrshire Council’s health and social care team for almost two months, after being made aware that her daughter’s self-directed support (SDS) budget could be cut.

Aileen’s daughter, Teigan, was born with brain damage and requires extensive care to allow her to live her life to the fullest.

Aileen needs answers about Teigan's budget. (Image: Submitted)

An SDS budget is a funding allowance designed to meet assessed health care needs, which would pay for things like days at Riverside Centre in Cumnock or for a carer to take Teigan on a day out.

After raising her concerns, Aileen was then told that Teigan is awaiting the allocation of a new worker who would then provide an update on the review of her support plan.

Usually, an answer about Teigan’s budget is given at the start of April, but Aileen told the Chronicle that she feels like she’s fighting a losing battle trying to get answers, even after a support worker has been identified.

Aileen said: “I’ve been phoning for answers for two months because we’re struggling as a family.

“I work full time and my husband had to take early retirement through ill health.

“I went to a review meeting and I was told that [Teigan] might not get a budget this year due to cuts within the council.

“That’s us nearly at the end of May and I’ve not had confirmation either way about whether the budget has been stripped back or completely stopped, so we’re totally at a loose end.”

Aileen says she has regularly been told over the phone and via email that someone will get back to her with a definitive answer, which didn't arrive for weeks.

Although she was then told a support worker had been identified who would carry out the budget review, a definitive answer has yet to be provided.

It has even led her to contact the head of the council’s social care partnership, Craig McArthur, directly, to no avail, Aileen says.

However, it was confirmed this week that Mr McArthur had resigned from his role in April.

Understandably, Aileen says it is a worrying time for her and her family.

The determined mum added: “My daughter has got important needs and this really isn’t good enough that we’re not getting the answers we need, it’s really putting a strain on us.

“I don’t know what we’d do if the budget gets cut and her days in care get cut.

“I need a personal assistant to take her out during the week or when I’m working, so it’s crucial for us as a family.

“It’s a real worry because we don’t know how we’ll be able to deal with it all and it’s not fair on Teigan or our family.

“Teigan doesn’t have a voice, so it’s my duty to shout on her behalf, because nobody else is going to help us.

“We need help and we need some answers from someone.”

An East Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "The East Ayrshire HSCP does not comment on individual cases.

"Self-directed supports are determined by a resource allocation system following conversations about what matters to an individual at assessment and review stages.

"It is for the local authority to then determine which needs are eligible for support in meeting individual personal outcomes.

"The HSCP would request that where issues remain outstanding, resolution is sought through the allocated worker, team manager or, where there is dissatisfaction, through the complaints handling procedure, which is available online."