Sheffield Army veteran's fight to keep his home

Michael Carder received a serious leg injury while serving in the Army, he later caught a serious infection while in a Sheffield hospital resulting in an amputation of his lower left leg.

Michael 55 now living on the Flower estate requires full-time personal care, is fighting the council to keep his home and carer.

Carer Scott Andrew Seaton 30, is now threatened with losing his job caring for Michael, causing great mental distress for both the Michael and his carer Scott

“It’s not the first time, and it’s been ongoing for quite a while, but now it’s getting serious.

It’s making my carer seriously ill, mentally.” Said Scott.

Scott claims the council's actions will cost the council more to care for Michael than the current arrangement.

Also forcing Scott out of his job, and Michael out of his home, into a residential home, for which both Michael and Scott believe he’s too young.

“Sheffield City council have come in and said

“I’m no longer needed and they want to put Michael in domiciliary care, even though domiciliary care will cost a hell of a lot more than to employ me “

This new change also brings with it, further emotional problems for Michael.

“Domiciliary care has also been proved not to work for Michael, because he had some past trauma with strangers ,so he doesn’t like strangers.

Unless he can have someone round he can trust and rely on.

So domiciliary is just a non starter straight away, but Sheffield City Council and his Social worker are adamant domiciliary carers are going to be put in and Michael is just going to shut up and like it.” Says Scott

Scott feels he’s being forced out of his job ,and Michael is being forced to accept domiciliary care moved out of his home into a residential home.

This situation is causing Michael to have serious mental distress as he’s worried for himself and the well being of his carer.

“He’s not very well, because he is more worried about me losing my job, than he is not having any care.

Because that’s the kind of person he is, he cares about others more than himself.

This has been going for years, but now it’s really getting bad and it’s really, really affecting him.

I’ve been able to manage it and keep him level headed, in a good mind frame.

But they’re coming at him full force now.”Says Scott

These problems seem to be centred around a shortfall in payments for care, paid for by a managed account set up for Michael to pay for his care.

“Now I might not get paid this next payment and I might also lose my job , but nobody’s rung Michael to say listen

“There's going to be a shortfall coming in the pot soon.”

They don’t communicate, they don’t help at all, they’re just trying to force him out of his home ,or to suicide. Which he’s attempted many times before.”

Alexis Chappell, Director for Adult Health and Social Care said: “Our aim is for all individuals to live independently and we are committed to working in partnership with Mr Carder to find a positive resolution.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.