No more ‘one-size-fits-all’ social care

Leeds’s social care system changed from 1^st August 2010– and the new version is designed to be fairer, more flexible and more transparent than ever before.

Instead of being slotted into the ‘one-size-fits-all’ services of the past, people will now know how much money is available for them to spend on their support, and can use a personal social care budget to pick and mix services from the council and independent care providers.

The money can be used to pay for services which help people improve their quality of life and address specific eligible needs.

This new social care model is called ‘self-directed support’ and is the result of decades of campaigning by disabled people and social care reformers. As the name suggests, it’s intended to give people more say over their social care – from assessment through to choosing services and support.

For further information call Adult Social Care Customer Services on 0113 222 4401 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/personalbudgets.