Self-directed Support

Supporting you to live your life the way you choose to

The system for providing social care for adults is being transformed. The emphasis is now on the individual's choice, control over the support services they receive. This means a lot of new developments in how Adult Social Care works.

Hampshire and other local authorities across the country are developing self directed-support.

Self-directed Support is one of the ways in which social care is starting to give more choice and control to people who are entitled to support from Adult Services. Hampshire County Council is at the forefront of this new approach. In 2010 Adult Services plans on rolling out SDS countywide. It will change the way we work with a new system of social care.

This follows testing new ways of working in one area office, Basingstoke & Deane. Working in one office showed what worked well and what didn’t and has shaped how SDS will roll out across the county.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Personalisation of Social Care

In 2008 the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr. Ken Thornber launched a Commission of Inquiry to help shape future services for people in need of support and care. The Commission heard people’s views, stories and experiences of adult social care. Evidence was gathered from local people, carers and national experts about their experiences and the challenges facing care services. To find out more about the Commission and read the findings please go to the Commission on personalisation webpages.

The government wants to make care services fairer and more affordable, and to promote independence, choice and control for people who need support. Nationally, the government is reviewing how care is provided and paid for through a six month public consultation. To find out more about this please see the Directgov web pages on Care and Support

Further information

• What is personalisation?
• What is Self-directed Support?
• How is Self-directed Support different from what happens now?
• How Self-directed Support is making a difference to people’s lives
• Frequently Asked Questions