Getting started

How to access Self-Directed Support through your Council

If you feel that you have need for a level of care or support in daily living, which is not currently available to you, then you may wish to contact your Council to discuss this with a social worker.

Councils have a duty to support people in need to the best of their ability and this support should be based upon a formal assessment of your need.

Step 1

Each Council may have slightly different processes but it is most likely that in your area there will be a central contact telephone number. You can either call yourself, or have a friend, neighbour, doctor, family member, nurse, or another make contact on your behalf.

This process is called "making a referral". You should describe your present circumstances and identify what sort of help you need. At this stage you can state that you are interested in Self-Directed Support and ask for more information about it.

Step 2

A Senior Social Worker, who will determine the next best step, will examine the details given on making referral, usually within one day. This step might be a conclusion that no further action is required, or that your request should be passed to other sections of the Council.

However, it is probable that, given the contact, your name will be set on a list for a home visit. If you are in hospital a social worker from the hospital will visit you in the ward before discharge.

Step 3

The home or hospital visit will commence an assessment, the Council will consider:

• What your needs are
• How far they extend into your life
• How far they should be met by the Council
• What is the best way to meet your needs.

At this point you can state your preference to have your assessed needs met by Self-Directed Support. The Council has a duty to listen to your own preferences.

Alternatively you may wish to submit an assessment of your own. This is sometimes called a self-assessment, and is no more than your own statement of your own needs.

You can write or illustrate in any way you wish. You could for example write out a weekly timetable showing the times when you need support and describing the kind of support you need. Submitting a statement by yourself, or from someone assisting you, is your chance to say it as you see it.

Your social worker is not obliged to accept this assessment. They have a responsibility to come to a professional judgement of their own. However, they do need to take your views into account and you should voice them as clearly as you can.

Step 4

If the council concludes that you have needs, which they have a responsibility to meet, they will state so in a record, which is usually called a community care (or children’s) assessment. You should be given a copy of this statement and have an opportunity to amend it at this stage, again you can ensure that your preference is for Self-Directed Support is recorded. If it is agreed that you need support you will be offered arranged services and Self-Directed Support. You can choose either or have a mix of both.

Step 5

With the authorisation of your payment you should receive a copy of a care plan, which will identify how your direct payment can, and should, be used. This may include a stated number of hours of care and support. Some Councils are moving to more flexible arrangements whereby care and support outcomes beyond a set number of hours can be purchased. In any event you are likely to need to identify a provider of care, usually an Agency or personal assistant.

In employing a personal assistant you can seek help and practical assistance and advice from a Support Organisation funded by your Council.

Remember that you are not alone. If any aspect of managing your payment concerns you – please contact your local Support Organisation.