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What services support this priority?
To bring about this new way of supporting people, we have transformed our services
to ensure that all our systems, processes and staff put people first. To do this we
established a Project Board chaired by <strong>the</strong> Director of Adult Social Services which
managed a two year change programme. This entailed significant investment in time
and money to develop new systems and train our staff, and those of our partners, in
new ways of working.
Personalisation was implemented in March 2011 when <strong>the</strong> new operational structure
for adult social care was introduced. We now work in a more personalised way with
those who need our services.
One of <strong>the</strong> key elements of our Personalisation programme has been <strong>the</strong> introduction
of self-directed support. People who come to us, and are eligible for support, now
complete a Personal Needs Questionnaire. This asks questions about various aspects
of <strong>the</strong>ir life in order to identify strengths and <strong>the</strong> positive outcomes <strong>the</strong>y wish to
achieve. On <strong>the</strong> basis of this completed questionnaire we are able to offer a personal
budget informed by a financial assessment developed for this purpose.
The provision of this personalised budget allows people <strong>the</strong> opportunity to make
informed choices about how best to meet <strong>the</strong>ir needs. This choice is exercised though
<strong>the</strong> development of a support plan which is sometimes written by <strong>the</strong> individual
<strong>the</strong>mselves. The development of this plan provides people with <strong>the</strong> opportunity to
express those wider goals and aspirations which will improve <strong>the</strong>ir quality of life. Once
we have formally agreed <strong>the</strong> support plan, <strong>the</strong> budget to be allocated for meeting <strong>the</strong>
agreed outcomes can be finalised.
People have choices as to how <strong>the</strong>ir personal budget is managed. If <strong>the</strong>y opt for a
Direct Payment <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> monies are paid directly to <strong>the</strong>m to purchase <strong>the</strong> goods and
services. Alternatively a third party may manage <strong>the</strong> budget on <strong>the</strong>ir behalf or <strong>the</strong>
Council can undertake this role. Depending on individual circumstances people may
be asked to make a financial contribution to <strong>the</strong>ir personal budget.
There are some rules governing what can be purchased through a personal budget
and records of expenditure must be kept. However, all this information and <strong>the</strong>
options available will be discussed to enable <strong>the</strong> individual to decide <strong>the</strong> best way
forward for <strong>the</strong>m. Our social workers have all been trained in <strong>the</strong> principles of selfdirected
support and how to offer <strong>the</strong> necessary advice and information. During 2011 a
small number of self advocates were trained around support planning allowing people
to have more control over <strong>the</strong>ir lives by expressing <strong>the</strong>ir own views.
If you would like to find out more about personal budgets we have developed a leaflet
Your Guide to Personalisation which can be found at www.stockton.gov.uk.
As well as delivering <strong>the</strong> arrangements for self- directed support we worked on a
number of o<strong>the</strong>r developments as a part of <strong>the</strong> Personalisation programme including:
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