What is Self Directed Support?

Self Directed Support is the way people who are eligible for social care decide:

  • what support or help they need
  • when the support is used
  • who provides the support.

At the heart of Self Directed Support is the recognition that the service user is the person best placed to understand their needs.

Mick Wilson

Find out more about people's experiences of self-directed support.

What does it mean in practice?

  • Better access to information, advice and guidance to support people in finding their own solutions. People will be able to self assess with as much or as little support as they need to complete the assessment.
  • Everyone who is eligible for social care will have a personal budget. They will know what money they have to plan their own support.
  • People will have control over the way the money is spent, so they can plan their own lives.
  • Providing people with as much or as little help in directing their own support and managing the money as they need.

What is happening in Nottinghamshire?

We aim to have Self Directed Support in place in Nottinghamshire within two years. By 2010, everyone who is eligible for social care will be given a personal budget. There will be help available for people who don’t wish to manage their budget or support.

We have produced a first draft of the Self Directed Support vision statement and want your views. Download a copy and let the Self Directed Support team have your comments by 3 October.

How can I find out more?

Jane North is the Project Manager for Self Directed Support and heads up a team who will help deliver the changes.

If you have any queries about the Self Directed Support then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Email: selfdirectedsupport@nottscc.gov.uk

Write: Self Directed Support Team, C2.65, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

Telephone: 0115 977 2535

Terry Gallagher

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Publications

Our most popular publications are:

Staff newsletter [PDF 3.2MB]
A good introduction to Putting People First.

Seven steps[PDF 116KB]
A simple guide to the Self Directed Support process.

Glossary [PDF 26KB]
A guide to the terms used in Putting People First.

Individual Budgets Evaluation Network (IBSEN) [Word 38KB]
A summary of the evaluation of the Individual Budgets pilot programme.

Newsletter for service users and carers - December 2008 [PDF 1.5Mb]

Rough guide to personalisation - Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) - December 2008 [PDF 960Kb]

For all our publications see our publications page.

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