The family of a disabled boy claim he has been “ignored” by social services despite several requests from his parents for an assessment so his new house can be adapted for him.
Six-year-old Charlie Roche, who is autistic, moved to a house in Beddau with his three-year-old brother Alfie and parents Steven and Sarah-Jayne in November last year.
Through their social worker, the Roches then applied to Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s occupational therapy department for an assessment regarding adaptations to their house to improve safety and independence for Charlie – but 12 months on, Charlie has still not been assessed.
Sarah-Jayne, who has now lodged an official complaint to RCT council’s social services department, said: “This is not acceptable when the safety of a child is involved.
“Due to changes made in our previous house by social occupational therapy, we are aware that handrails for the stairs and back garden are required, but we need advice from qualified therapists as to what further adaptations are needed to ensure development of Charlie’s independence and safety.
“The lack of communication on the part of occupational therapy is evident as we have received no update on Charlie.
“We have asked our social worker on several occasions to follow this up and now we just feel like we are being ignored.
“We are responsible and sensible parents, which has been recognised by Charlie’s social worker, but due to the lack of response from the council, it is only going to be a matter of time before Charlie has a serious accident.
“For example, he stumbled the other week, coming down the stairs due to lack of handrails.
“Luckily his father was there to prevent serious injury.”
Charlie’s parents, who both work full-time, say this worry over their son’s safety is having a detrimental affect on their family and is taking away their little boy’s independence and confidence.
They are so concerned that Charlie will regress in his development that they have asked for the equipment to be given to them and they will pay a professional to fit it.
However, they say, this request has been ignored, too.
Sarah-Jayne added: “Charlie is constantly apologising every time he needs help to do the simplest of tasks and highlighting the fact to him that he is different to his three-year-old brother.
“Expecting a child to wait a year (probably longer) for an assessment is appalling.
“Disappointingly, we have complete lack of faith and confidence in the current social services system in RCT.”
A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf council said: “We can confirm that a complaint has been received by Rhondda Cynon Taf council.
“As the investigation is now under way, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further,” the spokesman said.
