Working with people to deliver better services

5.45.55pm GMT Sat 6th Feb 2010

• MORE vulnerable people in Richmond upon Thames are getting the right support to live an independent life than any other borough in the capital, new figures have shown.

Self Directed Support, where older people and adults with disabilities are able to receive a personal budget to arrange the right care for them, has been operated by Richmond Council since August 2007. Now at least 1,200 residents, and their families or carers, are using the programme. This is more than 40 per cent of the total who are registered with the department.

Cllr Denise Carr, Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "We made an early commitment to give people a new way of receiving their care, with more choice and control over their support, and this is really paying off. Individuals with care needs, and their families, are the best ones to decide what is needed to live a full life. We will always offer advice, but ultimately, giving people the choice has got to be better than being told what should happen to them. Looking after older people and others who need help has become a huge concern for many families. These figures show the positive changes we're bringing to many peoples' lives. They back up our commitment to this new method of looking after our community, but in a way that also saves money through being a more efficient operation, which is vital as we deal with the long term effects of this recession."

Detailed interviews undertaken for the Council with 19 people using Self Directed Support showed more than 60 per cent reported a better quality of life. Seventy five per cent said SDS has helped give them control over their lives. Among the areas in which SDS budget recipients spend the money are: help at home, transport, a personal helper, time at a day centre, and short breaks.

• How SDS works:

1. Individual's needs identified through questionnaire

2. A Personal Budget is agreed between the Council and the individual.

3. A personal support plan is developed and agreed, outlining the help needed, how it will be provided and the expected outcomes.

4. A decision is made on the best way to deliver the Personal Budget:

• Direct payment to the individual

• A third party receiving the budget to spend on the individual's behalf

• Allowing the Council to manage the budget to deliver the support plan

5. Carrying out the plan, the person making as many decisions as possible.