In Control? Making sure we're not out of control! Some issues for people considering a direct payment or individualised budget
Abstract
Individualised budgets or self‐directed support allow people to design their own community care package and choose how they get support. Direct payments offer a cash payment in lieu of a community care service. These initiatives signal a move away from established services. At the same time, they may also involve transferring management responsibility from services to the individual service user or family carers ‐ or in some cases, could involve setting up an unmanaged service. This article is based on experience of supporting my son who has learning disabilities to move from our family home into a supported living scheme, though since I also work in learning disability services I get to see another side of the picture too. I've looked at some potential consequences of current policy, and highlighted issues that users and family carers may need to consider when they are developing a support package for themselves or a family member or friend.
Keywords
Citation
(2008), "In Control? Making sure we're not
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited