Celebrate World Book Night with Rastamouse - Brent Council

care more affordable for the council.
It includes plans for many new ways
of working, but one of the most
important elements is SDS.
Social care staff will support
customers to lead the type of life
they want. Those using the services
can ask friends and family help to
make important decisions.
People can ask for better access to
education or employment, to visit
leisure facilities or meet with friends
more regularly. When a support
package has been agreed customers
will receive a personal budget - paid
into their bank account - or the new
Direct Payments pre-payment card. The
council can manage personal budgets if
the customer is not able to do so, or the
Vibeeshun Yoganatha
has a bipolar mood disorder and severe
learning difficulties. He is 22 years old
and lives with his parents. He uses
touch, short vocalisations and singing to
communicate. Vibeeshun uses the Direct
Payments scheme to pay for 35-hours of
support, including swimming and walking,
as well as attending a weekly
drama course.
His activities are carefully planned
with his carer to help him socialise with
others while taking into account what
triggers his anxieties. The drama course
has helped him to overcome a fear of
bullying from other young people. He
attends drum classes at St. Joseph’s
pastoral centre and also does yoga
classes there, to stay calm and relaxed.
customer can nominate someone they
trust to manage the money for them.
Re-ablement aims to get people back
on their feet after hospital stays or
illness. This provides a full assessment,
support, aids to independent living and
other types of assistance and is free for
six weeks. The Re-ablement service
will give the person the skills and
equipment to continue to live
independently without any long-term
homecare once the six weeks are over.
For more information on
Direct Payments visit
www.brent.gov.uk/directpayments -
email Kwabena Gyedu, at
Kwabena.Gyedu@brent.gov.uk -
telephone Brent Council on
020 8937 1200.
If you would like a copy of this article
in a larger text size, you can request a
large print copy of The Brent Magazine
by telephoning 020 8937 1106.
cial care
g for you
SDS means:
• the customer, or carer, identifies
what services they need
• people know in advance how
much money is available to them
• the customer, not the council, decides
what support they receive, at times
convenient to them
• the council will provide support
to those who cannot manage
their own budget.
MARCH 2011 THE BRENT MAGAZINE
21