This provides a summary of what Personalisation and Self Directed Support means for people living in County Durham, as well as providing links to lots of other useful information.
Personalisation and Self Directed Support was launched in November 2007 with the ministerial agreement, 'Putting People First'. This is a joint agreement signed by Government ministers, the NHS and Commission for Social Care Inspection (now the Care Quality Commission). It outlined the key elements of a reformed social care system for England.
'A Vision for Adult Social Care' is a document recently published by the Government which shows the extension of much more control to individuals and their carers as part of its key social care proposals.
This commitment to choice will be delivered through Self Directed Support in County Durham.
What is Self Directed Support?
Self Directed Support is about making social care services more personalised to you and giving you more choice and control of your own care or support arrangements. This gives you independence and flexibility over who provides your care and support, and how and when it's delivered.
It is a way of looking at your needs, and involving you to work out how your needs can best be met.
Who can receive Self Directed Support?
Provided that you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for care and support. We may help towards the cost of this.
This is called a ‘personal budget’ and can be used to provide the services that you wish to receive, provided they are safe, legal and meet your care and support needs as shown in your care and support plan. There will be help and support available as you decide which options are best for you.
Using Durham Information Guide to help self direct your support
Durham Information Guide (DIG) is a new free online database which allows you to search for information on social care services, health groups and other community information, such as arts, leisure, sports and social groups and organisations, on a countywide, regional and national basis.
DIG can help you or someone you know have more choice and control over the goods and services to meet your social care and support needs, whether funded individually or by Durham County Council.
DIG feedback survey
Your views are important to us, please give us your feedback by completing a short online survey to help improve and develop Durham Information Guide.
New policy developments in Personalisation- Making it Real
Making it Real is a series of ‘markers’ which identify what a person would expect to see and experience if Personalisation is working well in an organisation. The markers have been written by people who use services and their carers.
The markers will help organisations involved in commissioning and delivering care and support from councils to providers of in-home, residential or nursing care to look at their current practice, identify areas that need improvement and develop plans for change if necessary .
Everyone involved in social care will have the opportunity to:
- Declare a commitment to use the markers.
- Publicly share actions that they will take to make progress towards achieving those most meaningful for the people they support
For more information about Making it Real visit the Making it Real page of the Think Local Act Personal website.
How do I access social care services?
To apply for help with care and support, you will need to complete a Self Directed Support Questionnaire. This questionnaire collects information about you and your needs.
It's important to take time to answer the questions as fully as possible. This information is used to plan how much support you may need.
It's your decision whether you complete the questionnaire on your own, with a carer, with friends or with family. We can arrange for someone to help you complete the questionnaire if you wish.
If your social care needs are urgent and must be addressed immediately, please get in touch with Social Care Direct at the contact below.
Find out more
You can get information about the Self Directed Support Questionnaire and how to apply, including large print and audio versions.
Useful links
Useful leaflets
For more information, please read our leaflets about Self Directed Support:
Useful updates
Glossary
Self Directed Support Glossary.pdf (3 pages, 71kb)
Equality Impact Assessments