Putting people first?
Adam Hewitt • Published 29 Apr 2010 11:00
0 Comments
Share this
See also:
A CONTROVERSIAL social care scheme pulling money from council-run facilities to give directly to people who need it is up for discussion at three 'consultation events'.
Putting People First is being slowly rolled out across Wokingham borough and while some disabled and elderly people have welcomed the freedom to spend their own personal budget on their care however they like, others think it will mean the gradual closure of shared facilities like day centres.
The council has proposed shutting Westmead Day Centre in Rances Lane which has angered some of the users of that centre, including carer Yvonne Addis who says the facilities it provides are vital. A final decision will be taken later this year.
There are already more than 500 people in the borough getting a personal care budget paid directly to them and the council said this shift in funding means it has to "adapt".
Community care manager Stuart Rowbotham said: "Putting People First is transforming the way social care is organised to give people real choice and control. This is making the current system for accessing social care increasingly out-of-date because it is based on the old way of providing support from a limited menu of services rather than giving the choice and control to people to determine what works for them. Although change is inevitable, we want to make sure the way we change is right for those affected and that is why we are holding these consultation meetings."
The personal budget can be spent however the recipient likes - within reason and subject to monitoring. Some are using it to employ carers, some for things which get them out and about like dance lessons, and others on more specialised care. The council has trained 10 of the people getting the money to be ambassadors for the scheme, helping others understand how to best use the self-directed support.
The consultation meetings will be at:
l The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham from 6-8pm on Wednesday, May 19
l The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley from 10am-noon on Thursday, May 20
l The Salvation Army Hall, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley from 10am-noon on Friday, May 21
Places must be booked by emailing Pippa Freeguard at putting-people-first@wokingham.gov.uk or calling 07500 606 229.
Transport can be arranged.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
