Self Directed
Support
Thousands of people across Medway
could soon find themselves able to live more independent lives when
the council introduces Self Directed Support (SDS).
Since 2003 the council has
offered people in need of social care “direct payments”. This has
involved giving them money to buy care that suits their needs -
giving them greater control over their lives and their care -
instead of providing them with a standard service.
SDS is the next stage in the
transformation of social care and will transform social care into a
totally personalised system by 2011.
Under SDS, people will be given a
budget that will allow them to plan and organise their own support.
They will be able to take the budget as a direct payment or the
council will hold it on their behalf. The money can be spent in
whatever legal way will achieve the outcomes that have been agreed
with a care manager.
For example, under SDS if an
older person wants to attend a day centre that is not contracted by
Medway Council, or wants to employ a different, and perhaps more
flexible, agency or individual to help with cooking and shopping,
they can.
Direct payments have benefited
Rosemary Kerwick and her husband Colin from Chatham.
Colin, who suffers from dementia
and Parkinson’s disease, has been receiving direct payment for
nearly two years. He originally attended a day centre but didn’t
enjoy it.
Rosemary said: “Colin didn’t like
the day centre but through the direct payment system we can now
employ our daughter to come to our house two days a week and care
for him. My husband likes his own home so this is a better
solution.”
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder
for Adult Services Cllr Tom Mason said: “The move to Self Directed
Support will transform social care into being completely
personalised and put those who use services and their family in the
driving seat. Families will be able to make their budget work for
them. It’s about giving people freedom of choice.”