Ah - looks as if it would be hard to get financial help with visits - this may be a useful link for others

http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index...id=52&Itemid=20

Thinking of you, nezumi. Have you had any updates on how he has been since your visit?

Not really. Just that he was okay when we left but upset the next day. He is moving ward & I think I am going to try and arrange regular Skype calls once he is in there. I am finding the distance incredibly difficult. We're seeing him again in at the beginning of the week after next. After 18 years of seeing him pretty much every day it's not easy.

The local LD team have arranged counselling/therapy for us (a sign that they understand how traumatic it has been for us all) - I am so worried about how my son is feeling though. My husband won't be able to go as he is on minus holiday because he had to take a lot of time off while our son was with us. I suspect it might open some floodgates for me!

It sounds incredibly difficult. A horrible situation to be in. I hope that the counselling/therapy helps. Is taking time off unpaid not an option for your husband?

Not unpaid - especially as I am self employed and so my earnings have gone right down the pan since notice was served!

Does anyone know how contracts are agreed between providers and commissioners? My son's providers clearly behaved legally in serving short notice (they certainly acted within the terms of their contract - no doubt about that ) but the impact of that short notice has been huge. Should commissioners be insisting on terms that give service users better protection or does the law just need to change to ensure that our dudes and dudettes are protected from short notice periods?

Just musing really on what changes in law/current practice would best protect our family members.