Giving residents more choice and control

5.00.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jan 2008

Residents in the borough who receive help from Richmond Council's Social Services now have more choice and control over the care they receive.

The new approach gives residents who are eligible for help their own 'individual budget'. This enables them to organise and choose their own support with help from Social Services staff if they want it. Cllr Denise Carr, Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "Following an assessment, eligible residents will be informed of how much money they are entitled to and whether this will be offset by any contribution they themselves need to pay. With the help of a care manager or 'broker', friends or family, they will then create a Support Plan, outlining how they will use the money. Support Planning is a new way of thinking about an individual's needs. It looks a person's whole life and what is important to them. For example, some may choose to spend their budget on appointing someone to help with daily tasks, like washing, dressing, shopping, cooking and cleaning, as well as help with visiting friends, accessing leisure activities or managing their finances. Residents also have the choice whether to manage the money themselves, let us manage it on their behalf, or a mixture of both. I hope that many more people will exercise their own choice and control in getting the care and support they need, when they need it. "