A MOTHER who claims her disabled son is being neglected by social workers is threatening to take her case to court.

Deborah Bulling claims Hertfordshire's social services have failed to correctly deliver a care plan promised to her autistic son Daniel O'Connell, leaving him to fend for himself.

Daniel, 21, moved out of the family home in Harpenden last September to a warden assisted block of flats at Ellis House in St Albans, where he is supposed to receive help with basic household tasks, including cooking, cleaning and washing.

But Deborah claims Daniel's care plan, which includes 25 hours of support a week at a cost of £25,000 a year to the taxpayer, has become virtually non existent.

She told the Review: "I have been over to see my son on a number of occasions to find his kitchen bin overloaded with stinking waste, the kitchen sink filled up with dirty dishes and cups from previous days, dirty laundary all left with wet washing still in the machine from days before and staff not supporting my son with his own care needs."

Hertfordshire County Council pays contractors Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association to provide care packages for nine of its residents who live independently but require support.

But Deborah says there has only been one member of staff on duty for most of the time in any 24 hour period to support the vulnerable residents.

Deborah said: "When we agreed to Daniel moving in we were told there would be two to three members of staff from High Town to support. Each client needs breakfast and evening meal support which can take up to an hour. Staff are meant to help with all their care plan needs, which can consist of helping with washing, hoovering, cleaning, and food shopping.

"Since Daniel moved in we have had to make so many complaints regarding lack of care, neglect, and incompetence from staff."

Deborah added: "Physically he's neglecting himself. He's become very withdrawn and he's refused to go out of his flat on a number of occasions.

"The system has let Daniel down. I feel that he should move back home because he will be properly cared for but that wouldn't be good for him. At the end of the day he needs to be independent."

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: "We are aware of the concerns raised by the family and are working with Ellis House to try and resolve them."

Hightown spokeswoman Emma Crump said: "Ellis House is a supported housing service for people who are fairly independent and only need around 13 hours of one to one support each week.

"We are confident that Hightown has given everyone their 13 hours of support each week, although tenant’s rights are respected if they decline support. Ellis House aims to support people to take responsibility for their own cooking, cleaning and domestic skills. Support is provided in line with an agreed support plan involving more than one care provider.

"We try to be flexible in the nature and timing of support provided. Our supported housing manager at Ellis House has regular discussions with tenants, their family and other professionals to review and agree the support that Hightown provide."