03-03-2006, 10:17 PM
FIVE hundred vulnerable residents have had their care withdrawn by Leeds City Council and another 5,000 people will have their services reviewed, it was claimed today.
And it is feared other services will come under pressure over the next 12 months.
Alexandra Clarke, 28, who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, was receiving £50,000 of support from Leeds Social Services up until 12 months ago. But because of the changes in funding she was placed in bed and breakfast accommodation in a run-down part of Leeds, where prostitutes and drug dealers congregate.
Miss Clarke said: "I feel very scared and upset by it all and just want to be somewhere where I can learn and dothings for myself."
Her father Roger Clarke, 58, of Moortown, who has now moved her into his home said: "After being funded for the last 10 years by social services, the money is simply not there for her anymore.
"We have no complaints about the staff or care she has received in the past but at the moment they are not willing to help place Alexandra where she needs to be.
"We have no support, there is nothing forthcoming and I am at the end of my tether. I look after her single handedly and also work full time and seriously cannot continue as we have been doing.
"Alexandra is suffering and when I go to work she remains in bed all day as she is simply not capable of looking after herself. She cannot cook or do anything.
"It is all about funding. The council promises they are looking after the most vulnerable, but they simply are not."
He said this was just one of countless examples which cost-cutting is having on vulnerable, sick and disabled people, who rely on social services for care and support.
Alexandra was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome aged 13 and recently diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.
For 10 years she has lived in sheltered accommodation and gone to residential colleges in other parts of country, all funded by Leeds City Council, at a cost of around £50,000 a year.
Mr Clarke's MP is Fabian Hamilton, who said: "I am appalled at the disgraceful attitude of the decision makers at Leeds City Council. The most vulnerable people are being left to suffer. It is all about money and funding, when people are more important."
Under new rules introduced last year, some pensioners and other vulnerable people have had their council home care services withdrawn.
The council still provides care for the most needy cases and claims it is giving extra funding to voluntary sector organisations to enable them to help those whose needs are not so great.
But Coun Keith Wakefield, the council's Labour group leader, warned more cuts were to come. He said: "Over the last 12 months 500 people have had their care packages cut by the council under new rules which were introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration.
"Another 5,000 people will have their services reviewed this year and many more will have their council support removed."
And he feared that other services as well as home care would come under pressure over the next 12 months.
A spokesperson for Leeds Social Services said: "We are rarely able to comment on individual cases in the press but we can reassure Mr Clarke that we are looking into this urgently. We are contacting him to make arrangements to meet as soon as possible to find the best way forward for him and his daughter."
Crumbling state of care revealed in shocking dossier
THE YEP has been handed a shocking dossier detailing scores of cases across the city who have suffered due to dwindling care.
From lack of community support to withdrawal of home care services, needy residents have been hit hard by crumbling care offered by Leeds Social Services.
Agencies across the city have put forward concerns about clients for the document compiled by the Labour party in Leeds.
The document highlights the plight of a 94-year-old woman with mobility problems who had home care services reduced, then removed. A blind woman in her 70s had a home cleaning service withdrawn leaving her 'struggling' to keep her own home clean and tidy.
A blind Pakistani man who had suffered depression and confusion following a stroke is another. His wife is also in poor health and suffers mental health problems.
The couple, from North East Leeds, have been told the only respite care on offer is a care home in Bradford.
Highlighting the case, a worker for Community Links stated: "I cannot imagine that there is not a care home in Leeds that could not accommodate Mr X's request for Halal meals."
A worker for Action for Gipton Elderly highlighted the case of a 93-year-old suffering arthritis, brittle bones and strokes.
The resident's case prompted a string of concerns including difficulties faced by the elderly using call centres and the amount of time a referral takes to go through all the new systems.
Concerns were also raised by Leeds Federated Housing Association about a tenant suffering Parkinson's disease who was made to wait over five weeks for a referral.
From leedstoday.net
And it is feared other services will come under pressure over the next 12 months.
Alexandra Clarke, 28, who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, was receiving £50,000 of support from Leeds Social Services up until 12 months ago. But because of the changes in funding she was placed in bed and breakfast accommodation in a run-down part of Leeds, where prostitutes and drug dealers congregate.
Miss Clarke said: "I feel very scared and upset by it all and just want to be somewhere where I can learn and dothings for myself."
Her father Roger Clarke, 58, of Moortown, who has now moved her into his home said: "After being funded for the last 10 years by social services, the money is simply not there for her anymore.
"We have no complaints about the staff or care she has received in the past but at the moment they are not willing to help place Alexandra where she needs to be.
"We have no support, there is nothing forthcoming and I am at the end of my tether. I look after her single handedly and also work full time and seriously cannot continue as we have been doing.
"Alexandra is suffering and when I go to work she remains in bed all day as she is simply not capable of looking after herself. She cannot cook or do anything.
"It is all about funding. The council promises they are looking after the most vulnerable, but they simply are not."
He said this was just one of countless examples which cost-cutting is having on vulnerable, sick and disabled people, who rely on social services for care and support.
Alexandra was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome aged 13 and recently diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.
For 10 years she has lived in sheltered accommodation and gone to residential colleges in other parts of country, all funded by Leeds City Council, at a cost of around £50,000 a year.
Mr Clarke's MP is Fabian Hamilton, who said: "I am appalled at the disgraceful attitude of the decision makers at Leeds City Council. The most vulnerable people are being left to suffer. It is all about money and funding, when people are more important."
Under new rules introduced last year, some pensioners and other vulnerable people have had their council home care services withdrawn.
The council still provides care for the most needy cases and claims it is giving extra funding to voluntary sector organisations to enable them to help those whose needs are not so great.
But Coun Keith Wakefield, the council's Labour group leader, warned more cuts were to come. He said: "Over the last 12 months 500 people have had their care packages cut by the council under new rules which were introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration.
"Another 5,000 people will have their services reviewed this year and many more will have their council support removed."
And he feared that other services as well as home care would come under pressure over the next 12 months.
A spokesperson for Leeds Social Services said: "We are rarely able to comment on individual cases in the press but we can reassure Mr Clarke that we are looking into this urgently. We are contacting him to make arrangements to meet as soon as possible to find the best way forward for him and his daughter."
Crumbling state of care revealed in shocking dossier
THE YEP has been handed a shocking dossier detailing scores of cases across the city who have suffered due to dwindling care.
From lack of community support to withdrawal of home care services, needy residents have been hit hard by crumbling care offered by Leeds Social Services.
Agencies across the city have put forward concerns about clients for the document compiled by the Labour party in Leeds.
The document highlights the plight of a 94-year-old woman with mobility problems who had home care services reduced, then removed. A blind woman in her 70s had a home cleaning service withdrawn leaving her 'struggling' to keep her own home clean and tidy.
A blind Pakistani man who had suffered depression and confusion following a stroke is another. His wife is also in poor health and suffers mental health problems.
The couple, from North East Leeds, have been told the only respite care on offer is a care home in Bradford.
Highlighting the case, a worker for Community Links stated: "I cannot imagine that there is not a care home in Leeds that could not accommodate Mr X's request for Halal meals."
A worker for Action for Gipton Elderly highlighted the case of a 93-year-old suffering arthritis, brittle bones and strokes.
The resident's case prompted a string of concerns including difficulties faced by the elderly using call centres and the amount of time a referral takes to go through all the new systems.
Concerns were also raised by Leeds Federated Housing Association about a tenant suffering Parkinson's disease who was made to wait over five weeks for a referral.
From leedstoday.net