frankteague
assertive outreach mental health nurse with specia, brighton,nhs ctrust
Member since 23rd Jan 2008
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RE: Tax Credits and Child care
Wed 23-Jan-08 01:08 PM |
Hi, I am a parent of an 11-year-old child with profound learning difficulties and work as a nurse part time. We receive tax credits, and around 80% (variable) of our child care costs are met by the childcare element of tax credits. Unusually, I find the tax credit system extremely helpful in that we employ staff directly to work with our son and get a lot of the costs back.
Like the parent above I am concerned in advance re my son hitting the post 16 year mark!
However I do know that the parent can apply for Direct Payments (DP). I suggest they get help with this and do extensive research, as it is complex and requires a fair bit of paper-work, although this can be contracted out and paid via direct payments too.
My experience is that Social Services have little knowledge of what DP can and cannot be used for and at times will give you inaccurate or misleading information. However, DP are currently in vogue and Social Services have, I believe, and obligation to assess you for DP if you request them. You can ask for a 'carers assessment' (sometimes not worth the paper it is written on, but a request may spur Social Services on to take you more seriously). In theory, your carers assessment should take into account the loss of the childcare via tax credits and replace it with DP.
However, as I have stated earlier, you will need to do your research and get professional assistance.
Please feel free to contact me if you want further information
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