A handout from our Introduction To Personalisation event on Monday 13th September 2010

1. your life
your choice
self-directed support
a new way of providing social
care in the Bradford District

2. For further information on whether we
can help you, contact Adult Services
on 01274 431704.
How does self-directed
support work?
Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1
What is self-directed support?
Telling us what help you need
Self-directed support is a new way of
providing social care in the Bradford You will need to tell us about the care
District. Itʼs about putting YOU in charge and support you need by filling out a
of the support you need to live your life form. You can fill in the form yourself;
as you choose. a relative or friend can fill one in for
you; or we can fill one in with your
This means YOU having more control
help. This will help us understand
over how the money needed for your
your needs and work out how much
social care is used, so that it meets your
money you are entitled to.
needs in the best way possible.
How will you benefit
from self-directed support? Step 2
Together with the Council, you will be able Your individual account
to decide the support you need and who
Once we have agreed with you the
should provide it – helping you stay as
amount of help you need, we will work
independent as possible.
out an individual account for you.
You will know exactly how much This is the amount of money which
money you have to spend on your care you will be able to spend on things to
and services. This is known as an give you the support you need.
individual account.
You may have to make a contribution
You will have access to a wider range to your individual account based on
of services to help you reach your your savings and benefits. If you are
personal goals. already contributing then the sum will
be no more than it is at present.
Self-directed support will give you more
choice and control over your life! Please talk to your social care worker
or contact the Charges Team if you
Who is self-directed support for? want more information about this.
Anybody who is eligible for adult social Bradford: 01274 437975
care services is eligible for an individual Keighley: 01535 618109
account through self-directed support.

3. Step 3 Step 6
Preparing your support plan Arranging your support
You will need to prepare a support You can choose to arrange your own
plan to show how you will spend your support, have someone do it for you or
individual account to achieve your ask us to do it. Write down which you
personal goals and meet the needs would prefer in your support plan.
you told us about in Step 1.
You can prepare the plan with help
from family and friends, from other Step 7
support groups or from ourselves.
Live your life to the fullest
Use the support outlined in your plan
to live your life to the fullest!
Step 4
Agreeing your support plan
Step 8
Once you have discussed your support
plan with your social care worker and Making sure the plan is working
we have agreed that it meets your
You will go over your plan with us
needs, you will receive a letter to show
within 12 weeks of it starting to check
that your plan has been approved.
how things are going and if any
changes need to be made. Together
with your social care worker you will
Step 5 review your needs each year or when
your needs change. If your needs do
Managing your individual account
change, we will change your individual
There are 3 ways you can account so it is suitable.
manage your individual account –
1. You can manage the money yourself
What if I am not able
2. You can ask the Council or an agreed
to make decisions for myself?
other person to manage your money
3. A combination of 1 and 2. If you are not able to make your own
decisions, we can either make the decisions
You will need to write down how you
for you or we can discuss your needs with
intend to manage your money in
anyone who has ʻpower of attorneyʼ to act
your support plan.
for you. This means that they can legally
make decisions on your behalf.
Will anyone check to see if I am spending my money properly?
Yes. We will need to make sure that you are using the money
in a way that meets your needs. We will discuss this with you.

4. Just ask:
This information is also available
in Braille & other alternative formats.
Please ask your social care worker
or ring 01274 431704.
Further copies of this document are
available from the Communications Unit,
Olicana House, Chapel Street,
Bradford, BD1 5RE.
Telephone: 01274 431704
E-mail: SDS@bradford.gov.uk
Website: www.bradford.gov.uk/adultcare