My disabled Grandma (Christine) faces eviction from her home due to Norfolk County Council refusing care. She has been forced into a residential home against her will just because she has a disability. She is only 75.

Please sign to show you care and think my grandma should be supported with care in her home. 

My Grandma was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 25 years ago. 

She moved to her flat at St Augustine’s Place, Gorleston-on-Sea (housing with extra care) 15 years ago and was very happy as she was near friends, her sister, and facilities. She has lived in the Great Yarmouth area all of her life. She moved there due to the onsite 24/7 care so that she could maintain her independence whilst receiving care. She was told it was her home for life.

Her home has been adapted for her needs with hoists, a wet room etc. She has an assured tenancy with Orbit Housing.

On-site 24/7 care is provided by Norse Care which is owned by Norfolk County Council.

• My Grandma went to hospital in June 2022 due to problems with her medication. Her care needs had not changed.
• Whilst in hospital, Norse told hospital staff that my Grandma couldn't return home, this left her stuck in hospital for weeks. Norse also contacted Adult Social Services at Norfolk County Council and arranged for my Grandma to be sent to All Hallows Care Home, Bungay (owned by Norse). My Grandma had no idea where she was going and wanted to go home.
• Despite my Grandma's protests and information from family, Norfolk County Council did not act on the fact that she had an assured tenancy and that a care provider could not refuse her entry to her own home and a home they don't own.
• Norfolk County Council stated she would be there for no more than 28 days for funding assessment purposes. 
• Over a year later she is still forced to stay in a care home because Norfolk County Council refuses to provide support in her home that she has been receiving for years.
• My Grandma is isolated from all her friends, sister and the life she enjoyed. Her independence has been taken away from her.
• Norfolk County Council and Norse Managers have refused requests for meetings, not responded to a request for reasonable adjustments due to her disability and have not provided contract information as requested. 
• The contract (obtained from a different source) states my Grandma should be at home. It confirms the aim is for residents to stay at St Augustine's as long as they like. My Grandma was told it was a home for life and moved there for the on-site care provided.
• Norfolk County Council literature states they aim to have a mix of low, medium, and high-care residents at St Augustine's Place. 
• Norfolk County Council said Grandma needed too much care; it took considerable time to ascertain what ‘too much’ meant. 
• Norfolk County Council eventually confirmed that Norse Care is contracted to provide 13 hours per week. The 13 hours is not a maximum, just a pre-booked block. Additional hours can be provided.
• Norfolk County Council have stated that my Grandma will have to stay in residential care despite knowing that she is desperately lonely, isolated, and continually asking to go home. 
• Norfolk County Council blatantly ignored my Grandma's request for her chosen advocates to be present at all meetings. The Social Worker visited her when she was on her own and as a full-time wheelchair user, Grandma can't walk away. The Social Worker told her incorrect information and made her cry.
• Norfolk County Council have been continuously obstructive and has not followed the Care Act 2014, Equalities Act 2010, or Human Rights Act 1998. 
• My Grandma was evicted from All Hallows Care Home because my Mum spoke out. She hoped to at last move home. Again despite her requests to move home, she was told she would have to move to another care home.
• Norfolk County Council are now requesting Top-up fees AFTER my Grandma moved to the care home, this is despite it being cheaper than All Hallows (owned by themselves via Norse).

My Grandma's well-being and mental health have suffered hugely over the last year.

Norfolk County Council and Norse Care have caused a significant negative impact on my family's physical and mental health over the last year due to their appalling practice. We have spent all of our time researching law, contacting support organisations, and being constantly worried about Grandma's mental health and well-being. 

My Grandma is at imminent risk of losing the home she loves and the ability to maintain a relationship with her friends and family because she has a disability and needs more than 13 hours per week of care. 

This could happen to anyone who may need care following an illness or accident. No matter their age.

Norfolk County Council seems to think putting people into residential care is the only answer.