Self Directed Support
What is Self Directed Support?
Self Directed Support is the way people who are eligible for social care decide:
- what support or help they need
- when the support is used
- who provides the support.
At the heart of Self Directed Support is the recognition that the service user is the person best placed to understand their needs.
Read our leaflet on'What is Self Directed Support' to find our more
Find out more about people's experiences of self-directed support.
What will Self Directed Support mean for me?
Self Directed Support means you will have more choice, flexibility and control over the services you receive. It’s about you making individual choices about the support you need and the best way of getting it.
How will I get more choice and control?
Self Directed Support is based on an assessment. Following an assessment you will be allocated a Personal Budget based on your needs. You will know up-front how much money you are entitled to in order to pay for your support.
Using a support plan, you will decide how you want to use the money you are given to meet your needs and aspirations and to live life your way. The plan has to be agreed by the Council.
For example, you might want to employ someone to help you wash and dress in the morning; or instead of going to a day centre, you might want to try a new hobby or sport.
There will be better access to information, advice and guidance to support people to meet their needs.
What help can I get?
Help will be on hand for you to plan and manage your budget to get the care and support that is right for you.
Your have to show that you have used the money appropriately and that it has met your goals – or what we call ‘outcomes’. This review is an opportunity to check how things are going and to see if any changes to your support plan are needed.
When will this happen?
In Nottinghamshire, we are aiming to get all new people eligible for social care on a Personal Budget from October 2010, and existing services users by October 2011.
Vision Statement for Self Directed Support
We feel it's important to have a clear vision for what Self Directed Support in Nottinghamshire aims to achieve. Visit the Putting People First blog at www.puttingpeoplefirst.info to see the Vision Statement and leave your comments.
How can I find out more?
Have a look at the Self Directed Support news page to find out what progress has been made.
Jane North is the Project Manager for Self Directed Support and heads up a team who will help deliver the changes.
If you have any queries about the Self Directed Support then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Email: selfdirectedsupport@nottscc.gov.uk
Write: Self Directed Support Team, C2.65, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP
Telephone: 0115 977 3234
