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What is self-directed support?
Self-directed support (SDS) is a new way of providing adult social care. People will know upfront the likely amount of funding available to them in their indicative personal budget to meet their assessed eligible social care needs. The supports and services that people will use to get positive outcomes will be set out in their support plan.
The indicative personal budget for support planning is an indication of the likely amount of funding available to people for their support. It is not a guarantee of money or resources. When support plans are agreed the final personal budget amount will be confirmed.
Support plans will be reviewed at least annually and more often if needed. If needs or circumstances change the personal budget amount may increase or decrease.
People may take all or part of their personal budget as a direct payment. Further information about direct payments can be found on the 'see also' link on the left of the page.
What if people are unwilling or unable to manage the personal budget and arrange their own support?
People do not have to take their personal budget as a direct payment. They can ask us to manage their budget in a Personal Account and arrange services for them. Or they can have a mix of options, taking some of the budget as a direct payment with the remainder being managed by us on their behalf.
Alternatively they may nominate a representative who they know and trust well such as a family member or friend to manage their direct payment for them.
Where people lack capacity to manage their own support arrangements or to nominate a representative, we can manage things for them or they may make direct payments to a 'suitable' person to manage on the person's behalf, acting in their best interests.
Will self-directed support impact on carers?
As part of the self-directed support system people will complete a self-assessment questionnaire, with support if needed. The questionnaire asks about the support people will continue to receive from unpaid carers. Carers will be strongly encouraged to have a carer's assessment in their own right. There are a range of services available to support carers in their role such as information and advice, support groups, an emergency support service and respite breaks.
When will self-directed support be available for all people with assessed eligible support needs?
The Department of Health wants all authorities to make significant progress by March 2011. In Croydon we aim to be able to provide self-directed support as the main system for providing adult social care from April 2010.
Is everybody entitled to a personal budget?
No. People will only receive a personal budget if they are eligible for support from us. In Croydon, if the risks to your independence are critical or substantial you will be eligible to receive services. If you are not eligible to receive services because the risks you face are moderate or low we will give you information about other organisations and services that may be able to help you meet your needs.
How do you decide who should receive social care services?
Councils have to follow eligibility guidance from the Department of Health. Decisions about who should receive social care services are based on risks to independence in both the immediate and longer term were help not to be provided. Risks are classified in four categories - critical, substantial, moderate or low.
Under self-directed support will there still be means testing?
Yes. We will continue to carry out financial assessments under local charging policies, to work out the contributions, if any, that people will make towards the costs of their support. People will be offered support to collect all the state welfare benefits to which they are entitled.
Contact Details
| Self Directed Support Programme | |
|---|---|
| Department | Adult services and housing |
| Telephone | 020 8726 6500 |
| SDS.team@croydon.gov.uk | |
| Address | 13th Floor South Side Taberner House Park Lane Croydon CR9 2BA |
