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You said, We listened. Towards the end of last year, we ran a poll asking family carers what events they would like to see OxFSN put on. These are what you asked for and thanks to funding by the National Lottery Community Fund we will be running these events over the next few months. If there are other information events you would like to see (and if there is enough interest) please get in touch with Kathy Liddell on kathy.liddell@oxfsn.org.uk or call 07821 987080
Upcoming Events
The Care Act
Key duties and top tips
Thursday 1st February
10.30 - 12.30 online
The Care Act helps to improve people’s independence and wellbeing but how does this work when applying for support from Adult Social Care or filling out a Care Needs Assessment? Understanding The Care Act is key to planning for the future for your relative. This online information session will go through the key duties of the Care Act and give you a better awareness of how you can use the Care Act to get the right support for your relative when they turn 18 or when you start planning ahead for their move in to supported accommodation.
Book for The Care Act here
Maintaining Friendships & a Social Life
Wednesday 21st February
12.30 -2.30 online
This information session will look at how we support our relative to maintain their friendships and a social life as they get older. Unlike their peers, most of our relatives are unable to pick up the phone and organise their own social life, and when they move out of the family home, they are increasingly dependent on support workers to help them maintain friendships…the reality is many people with learning disabilities can become socially isolated.
This information session will look at what we can do to support our relative to maintain an active social life and keep in touch with those people in their life who are important to them.
Book for Maintaining Friendships here
A Q & A with Adult Social Care
Wednesday 13th March
10.00 am - 12.30
Dean Court Community Centre, Pinnocks Way, Botley
One of the requests from family carers was a question and answer session with key people from adult social care so that families had the opportunity to meet with the people who run the services. Adult Social Care are extrememly responsive to this and will be sending key leads from across a number of services to meet with families. We will send out more information nearer the time as to who from OCC will be there.
Spaces are limited so book early.
Book for Q & A with ASC here
Money Matters - Planning Ahead
Tuesday 23rd April
10.00 - 3.00
Didcot Civic Centre, Didcot
Always popular, this event will look at what you need to consider when making financial decisions about planning for the future for your relative with a learning disability and or autism. It will cover Wills and Trusts as well as applying for Deputyship and Power of Attorney.
We will also talk about the importance of understanding The Mental Capacity Act in relation to decision making, including around finances, as well as Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS). Why is it used and when it is applied?
The Oxfordshire lead from the Department of Work and Pensions will also explain Universal Credit and managed migration for those on legacy benefits as well as what you need to know when applying for Universal Credit for your relative for the first time.
Refreshments will be available but please bring your own lunch. There is plenty of parking at the centre.
Book for Money Matters - Planning Ahead here
Planning for supported living using person centred planning tools
9th and 16th May
10.00 - 2.00
Dean Court Community Centre, Pinnocks Way
A 2 day course (both days must be attended) that will use a person centred planning approach to help you plan ahead for your relative when thinking about supported living. We carry a lot of the information in our head, but talking with others and putting the information down on paper helps us get a clearer picture of what our relative’s future could look like.
It will help you look at what is important to and for your relative, decison making, maintining relationships, what kind of support they need etc so that they can live their best lives.
Refreshments will be served but please bring your own lunch
Book for Planning Person Centred Planning for Supported Living here
Supported Living for family carers by family carers
Thursday 20th June
10.00 - 3.00
Seacourt Hall, Botley
There are many different routes in to finding the right supported living for your relative. At this event, you will be able to hear directly from family carers who have already gone through the journey of finding supported living for their relatives, how they went about it and what they learnt along the way. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and get tips and advice when planning for your own relative.
We will also be inviting support providers along to give their perspective on supported living as well as providing practial information on signing tenancies, paying rent and covering bills.
Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
Paid parking is available at Seacourt Hall and Seacourt Park and Ride. Free parking is available in adjacent residential streets a short walking distance away. Buses run from the Oxford Train Station.
Book for Supported living by family carers here
HOLD Mortgage
If you, or anyone you know has gone down the route of securing a HOLD mortgage (Home Ownership for people with Long-Term Disabilities) could you please get in contact with Kathy Liddell on kathy.liddell@oxfsn.org.uk or call 07821 987080. We have a family who is exploring that option and would like to connect with someone who has already gone down that process.
Please don’t forget, we are a family support organisation, run by and for family carers of people with learning disabilities – both children and adults. If you need any support, help or information, please get in touch. You can email us at