Personalised services recognised at national awards (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Personalised services recognised at national awards

March 8, 2010 10:40 AM

• PROGRESS achieved by Richmond Council and its partners in enabling local people to have more choice and control over their care and support has been recognised after they reached the shortlist for a top government award.

Borough representatives attended the awards ceremony for the 'Local Innovation Awards Scheme' at 11 Downing Street, on Tuesday 2 March, having made the final shortlist of three. The awards recognise achievements by local partnerships in developing innovative and effective services for residents. The Council, together with Richmond Users Independent Living Scheme, (RUILS), was nominated for their development of Self Directed Support, finishing behind Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, when the results were announced.

Cllr Denise Carr, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing on Richmond Council, said: "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. Self Directed Support is the driving element to how care and support is provided to local people. We now have over 1,250 people receiving personal budgets which give them greater choice and control over the care and support they receive. Our aim is to help more people live independently and the results we are seeing shows that it is paying off."

In shortlisting Richmond Council, the awards panel recognised the high number of people now receiving a personal budget, the positive outcomes that this has delivered for individuals and the committed and flexible approach taken to introduce the service.

Cathy Maker from RUILS, added:

"We know that more people are benefiting from having a personal budget and seeing the difference it can make to their lives. We are pleased to have been recognised with the award nomination and will continue to work with the Council to ensure that individuals get the support they need to live the life of their choice."

This is the first year of the Local Innovation Awards, which have been jointly designed by the Government, the Independent Advisory Panel, the Local Government Association and the local public sector and replace the Beacon scheme. For more information visit www.idea.gov.uk/page.do?pageId=1

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