Susan’s story

Susan was isolated and increasingly frail until adequate care and support was eventually provided.

Susan came to the Law Centre because she was struggling to get the support she needed at home. In her 60s and suffering from arthritis and various other age related health problems, she was finding day to day life more and more difficult, was becoming increasingly alienated from her community and vulnerable. Susan was unable to prepare food, get dressed, bathe herself or get out and about without help.

We referred her to Bristol City Council Social Services for an assessment, which acknowledged she needed help. However, the support offered fell well below the minimum required, allowing for only a 15-minute visit every morning.

We therefore obtained letters of support from her doctor and used relevant legislation to successfully argue that Susan needed at least double the support initially offered.

As a result, Susan secured the support she needed and, using the direct payments scheme, was able to employ a relative to provide her care, thereby overcoming her worries that unknown carers would be coming to her house each day.