Over the last few years we have been gradually changing the way we provide care and support in East Sussex so that you have more independence, choice and control over your life – this is known as self-directed support (SDS).
Self directed support
You can choose to have your support in a new way which suits you better, or if you prefer, you can continue using more traditional services. The important thing is that it's your choice.
Regardless of whether you pay for your own care or whether you're funded by your local authority, you should be at the centre of all decisions that are made. That means looking at your life and what's important to you.
For example, if you need support during the day, you might previously have been offered a place at a day centre. Now you can look at other options, such as employing a personal assistant to support you to do things that meet your needs better – for example, going to adult education classes or joining a sports centre.
We introduced self-directed support in East Sussex from April 2010. Learn more from our leaflet, and by exploring the links on this page.
Developing the social care market
We want to make sure there are more options available for you to choose from to meet your individual needs. For example we've started working to attract more small local family and community-based services, including personal assistants, into the social care market:
We know it's important that you can still choose to use more traditional services, such as home care, nursing and residential care where they best meet your needs. We're working with these providers so they can deliver this support in a more flexible way.
Finally it's also important that you have the information and advice you need to make good choices about your support. Our Support with Confidence scheme can help you find a wide range of care and support services you can trust – such as personal assistants, cleaning, handyperson and shopping services – that have been approved for quality, safety and training.
This year we're also developing a web-based Online Resource Directory which will give up to date information about care and support services available in your local area.
The national picture
Self-directed support and developing the social care market were key elements of Putting People First (PPF). PPF was a national policy introduced by the Labour Government about how it wanted social care to be provided in the future.
Think Local, Act Personal links the Coalition government's vision for social care and Putting People First. It supports people, their carers and families, in getting the best from the support they need – regardless of whether they pay for their own care.
The agreement sets out how councils and other organisations can continue to work together to transform social care, and highlights the ongoing importance of:
- personal budgets for people who are eligible to receive social care support, with a focus on direct payments, where appropriate, so they can have maximum choice and control
- personalised services which meet people's different circumstances and preferences
- developing the social care market to give people more choices in how they are supported in the community
- a focus on prevention and supporting people to stay healthy and live as independently as possible
- the role of family, the community and other services in people's lives.
Find out more about some of these themes:
East Sussex County Council