In response to the article headlined Disabled Melksham Woman Says Care Firm’s Failings Deprived her of Vital Help, which appeared online on the Wiltshire Times website on February 7: first of all, I’d like to say how sorry I am to hear about the lady’s situation and sadly, it’s something I often hear about through my work in the social care arena in Wiltshire and the surrounding area.

What is clear to me as a practitioner is that many of those receiving care at home, especially the elderly and most vulnerable, don’t realise they have a choice and they are entitled to express a preference regarding their funding and care providers.

There are some clear steps you can take if you aren’t happy with the care you, or a loved one receives, even if your care is funded via the local authority.

Don’t be afraid to contact the adult duty team or your social worker to report a safeguarding concern and request a review of your care. During this process you can then tell the review team that you now wish to receive your care from another provider and you can even name that provider if you feel you’ve found one which better suits your needs.

You can also ask about receiving your funding as a direct payment so you – or whoever manages your financial affairs – can pay the provider directly.

Direct payments are designed to give you control so you can purchase the care that you need from a provider of your choice.

Too many times I meet families who are completely unaware that they have this right and they are not duty bound to receive care from the local authority’s preferred provider.

Anne Pelling, Co-founder, Butterfly Home Help, Wessex House, Station Road, Westbury.