Personal budgets and direct payments

We are introducing changes to transform and modernise the way we deliver adult social care services and are introducing a self-directed support process and personal budgets.

From November 2010 if you are newly eligible for council services you will be offered the opportunity to use this new process. If you are already in receipt of Council services then your care manager should offer you the opportunity to try self-directed support at the time of your annual review.

Self-directed support is the term used to describe how people are able to design the support or care arrangements that best suit their specific needs.

Through self-directed support people will be able to direct and control how the money available to meet their support needs is spent. A greater emphasis is placed on people using personal budgets to build on their own support networks such as family and friends.

Personal budget

A personal budget is the amount of money given to you by the Council to meet your assessed care needs. You use the money to buy the support you need.

The money can be paid to you direct - this is known as a direct payment, or to someone who can help look after it for you - like a Trust or an independent organisation. If you prefer, your care manager can use your personal budget to arrange services of your choice or you can have a mix of the two.

How can you find out more about direct payments?

If you would like to find out more about personal budgets or direct payments and already receive a Council Service then talk to your Care Manager.

If you do not have a Care Manager but feel that you might be entitled to support from Adult Social Care, call our Contact Centre on 01752 668000 who can arrange for an assessment of your needs to be carried out.

Personal budgets and direct payments [388KB]