I was told that if I worked 16hrs a week I could be £50 a week better off
We then went through my list of medical problems (not least of which is severe IBS and taking 6 immodium to get out of the door), also my physical problems like knackered knees, both hips, a 1/2 dead left arm with 2 working fingers and a thumb and a bady damaged left shoulder with extensive muscle wastage. He didn't think these would be too much of a problem if we could actually find a job, an employer that would actually take me on etc. etc., so far so good!
Next I asked about the £50 a week, I assume that it would be after you've paid for 16hrs of care for my son?, his P.A. was on £8 an hour so that would be £128, or 2 x 8hr days in day care (if we could find one) would be slightly more, about £80 a day as someone would need to be with him. Apparently such things are not their problem. Have I tried the carers service or Social Care Direct, I explained we'd just received an 8 page reply to out formal complaint for not having received any support for my son or myself for the last 2 years, the NHS Trust investigator agreed about 95% of it was correct and we have been moved from the Chester Le Street team to the Derwentside team who apparently appointed a new care co-ordinator for us in January, just a shame no-one has bothered to get in touch or even tell us about it in the last 2 months! (sounds very much like the last lot).
At this point he realised I was not just sitting at home and claiming for the fun of it, he wished me well and that was that.
Good luck with the shed :)