Putting People First Engagement

Personal budgets are about choice and control. The control of service users and the development of a range of service providers to make choice a reality. The key to achieving this transition is the offer of appropriate support to users.

It is an opportunity for the Sector to get involved in promoting and providing the new model of service delivery under one of the most exciting change agendas in Adult Social Care. A similar initiative for Health as part of the Transformation of Community Services forms part of a comprehensive approach to put individuals back in control of their own lives. That includes people with; Disabilities, Learning Difficulties, Mental Health problems or elderly people who require total care and support from others.

Currently all the above groups have their needs assessed by a Social Worker, a support plan is written and the standard services are allocated according to need and funding and service availability. The specific individual requirements are subject to the overarching organisational constraints.

Personalisation means focusing on the whole person and then setting and achieving outcomes which represent a direct improvement in their quality of life and sense of wellbeing.