Adult and Community Services

Individual Budgets

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In 2006 the Government asked us to try out a new way of arranging the care and support people need to stay independent. This new approach is called Individual Budgets.

What is an Individual Budget?

Individual budgets are designed to help people who are eligible for services to take control of their own social care budgets, manage their support and choose the services that best suit them.

It puts the person at the centre of assessing their needs and the planning process, recognising that they are the person best placed to understand their own needs and how to meet them.

How do I get an Individual Budget?

First we need to check you are eligible for care and support, we will use the same eligibility conditions as before. We will need to go through an assessment with you. This will be about care and will also cover other things like daily living, wellbeing, relationships and taking part in society.

We will tell you how much money you have for the year to spend on your care or support. Once this has been agreed you will need to write a support plan to show how you will spend your Individual Budget.

Why should I have an Individual Budget?

Individual Budgets will:

Give you a clear idea about how much money there is for your support and bring together different kinds of funding from more than one agency.

Make assessments quicker and easier

Allow you to use the money in a way that best suits your assessed needs and situation. Giving you greater choice and control over the services you receive.

Allow you to develop your own support plan, outlining what you want, when you want it and how this could be delivered. This may be done with support from a support broker, family or friends, care manager or a representative.

Where are we now?

In December 2007, central and local government, health authorities and professional bodies signed an agreement to change adult social care. The agreement 'Putting People First' endorsed Individual Budgets and says we should redesign and reshape our systems to make sure we put people at the heart of care and support services. Over the next 3 years we will receive funding from the government, to help us achieve this.

How are we doing?

At the end of September 2008, 154 people are controlling their own support requirements via an Individual Budget.

It is hoped that over time, many more people will wish to have an Individual Budget and experience greater choice and control over how they receive support services.

Personalisation Provider Forum

Friday 24 October 2008