Self Directed Support

1. I currently use a care service but would like to change to an individual budget. Is this allowed?
2. How much will I get for my Individual Budget?
3. My budget is not enough. Can I challenge this?
4. Can I just leave things as they are with the same provider and getting the same service?
5. What kind of support can I buy instead of using building based day services?

1. I currently use a care service but would like to change to an individual budget. Is this allowed?

Yes it is perfectly possible to change. You should speak to your care manager if you have one but if you don't you can speak to the provider who already supports you. Alternatively you can call the Advocacy Service in Glasgow who may be able to help if you need it.

 

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2. How much will I get for my Individual Budget?

This will depend on what your needs are because the amount of money someone is allocated is directly related to the level of need they have. You need to complete the Self  Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) to find out. This is a number of questions about your needs that you answer and you score points based on the answers. Then based on the number of points you score you are allocated an Individual Budget. You can get help to complete the Self Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) if you need it.

It could be your family or friends who help you fill it in or you can get help through your local Social Work Department. Your Care Manager or if you use a Provider Organisation already they can help you complete the SEQ.

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3. My budget is not enough. Can I challenge this?

Yes of course you can challenge the amount of money you get allocated if you don't think it is enough. It would be wise however to take your allocation and begin to plan how you would spend it to meet the needs that have been identified in your support plan. This allows you to understand why you might need more money and gives you the evidence to speak to the local authority and prove your case. It might be that once you start working out how to spend the money that you actually do have enough. It is surprising how far the money can go when you use it creatively and flexibly. If however you don't you can speak to the local authority directly or via your care manager or your provider to ask for more money. They will want to hear your explanation about why you think you need more money and will consider the risks you face if you do not have more money.

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4. Can I just leave things as they are with the same provider and getting the same service?

If you live in Glasgow this is unlikely to be the case. This is because Glasgow City Council is making Self Directed Support and Individual Budgets the main way that they will provide support for people who are assessed as needing it. They have an Implementation Plan for rolling it out across Glasgow and in due course it will affect everyone.

When you get your new budget allocation the provider can still support you but you will only have the amount of money now allocated which may be less than you are currently having spent on you. This means you need to negotiate with help if you need it, what the provider will be able to provide for the money you have allocated. Remeber this is an opportrunity to have your supported provided in a range of ways with you deciding.

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5. What kind of support can I buy instead of using building based day services?

Fair Deal offers a full range of activities that people can spend their budget on instead of going to a building based day service. You can buy support from a staff member of you can team up with other people you may know and share support if you need it. iIt may be that you can participate in our range of activities without support. Perhaps you have an idea about doing something we don't provide but we would love to talk to you about it because it is our aim to support people to do the kind of activities they want to do and if you tell us it makes it beneficial for both of us. We also like to encourage people to try new things. Our Social and Leisure Options page tells you all about the kind of activities we can offer.

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