A DISABLED Forest student says she has waited since June for Gloucestershire Social Services to devise a 24-hour care plan for her return to university.

Jordanne Wozencroft, of Cinderford, says the wait has delayed her efforts to move back to halls of residence at the University of Worcester.

The 19-year-old, who has Type Two spinal muscular atrophy, and is a wheelchair user, said: “I need help daily to do pretty much everything from dressing myself to making a cup of tea.

“I’m due to be going into my second year of studying clinical psychology and had my initial reassessment on June 13, which should have given social services plenty of time to put 24-hour care into place.

“Not only have they been promising to get my care agreed and then failed to do so, they have also completely ignored me as a human being and my needs as a disabled person when planning my support. As always, money is their biggest priority and we had the exact same fight last year. This year social services has changed the way it manages adult support planning in line with their ‘building better lives’ policy and, to be brutally honest, it hasn’t worked for me and I’ve been stressing and worrying about things which add to my normal daily struggles.

“Living with a physical disability is not just physically challenging, it’s mentally and emotionally challenging too and honestly I am fed up of fighting to live an average independent life.

“I was supposed to be moving back last week but social services are now insisting I use a cheaper care agency. Fortunately my lectures haven’t started yet, but the rest of my flat friends have already moved meaning I’m missing vital bonding time.”

Margaret Willcox, director of adult social care, said: “We are not able to discuss details of individual cases. However, we are required to carry out yearly reassessments to look at existing care packages.

“This process involves an assessment, followed by a review before the package is approved. This makes sure that the plan provides the care that’s needed.

“If anyone has any concerns about their care, or wants to discuss an assessment, they can call the adult social care desk on 01452 426 868.”