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Self Directed Support
No more ‘one-size-fits-all’ social care
A brand new way of receiving social care is available in Leeds – and it’s fairer, more flexible and more transparent than ever before.
The new system is called ‘self-directed support’ (SDS) and is the result of decades of campaigning by disabled people and social care reformers. As the name suggests, it’s intended to give people more say over their social care – from assessment right through to choosing services and support.
Instead of being slotted into the ‘one-size-fits-all’ services of the past, people will now know how much money is available for them to spend on their support, and can use a personal social care budget to pick and mix services from the council and independent care providers.
The money can be used to pay for services which help people improve their quality of life and address specific eligible needs. But there are strict controls to make sure taxpayers’ money is being spent responsibly.
For further information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/personalbudgets or call Adult Social Care Customer Services on 0113 222 4401.
Speak to people who already direct their own support!
A group of ‘expert’ volunteers who use personal budgets already have started up a peer support network called ‘Free to Live’, to help other people who might need information or advice. Contact Free to Live via Leeds Centre for Integrated Living on 0113 214 3594, email info@freetoliveleeds.org or visit their website and discussion forum at www.freetoliveleeds.org.
What's changed - in a nutshell!
| Old way | New way |
| A professional who works for the council assessed you, advising about what services would be suited to someone ‘with your needs’. | You fill in a questionnaire with your social worker, looking at what things you need help doing day-to-day, and what changes you want to make in order to live more safely and independently in your home. |
| The council told you what services were available to use. You weren’t told how much money would be spent on your social care. | Once you’ve agreed what support you need, the council uses this information to calculate a rough figure for your social care budget. You can use this as a guide to help you plan out what kinds of support you want to use to meet the needs you’ve already identified. You can get help from your social worker, family and friends if you wish. Once your plan is approved, the figure will be adjusted if necessary, and you will know exactly how much money is available. |
| You could use a limited range of services provided by the council (or you could use the old-style direct payments which could not be used for any council services). | It’s now much more flexible – if you want, you can choose to get the money paid directly to you so you can use it to buy and arrange your own support – from anyone you choose. But you don’t have to manage the cash yourself if you don’t want to. A relative, carer or trusted friend – or the council – can do this on your behalf, or there are other options. The council will periodically check that the money is being spent responsibly, on support to meet the outcomes in your plan. |
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