Being in control of your own life is an aspiration not a reality for many people in society. Many adults with disabilities feel that how their lives are run is dictated to by others.
The governments Adult Green Paper; Independence, well-being and choice and the prime minister's strategy unit report; Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, both promote moves towards self directed support. Denise Blewitt, CIC assistant director, learning difficulties and mental health services is championing "In Control", an initiative by leading consultants and development agency Paradigm, which is sponsored by Mencap. Paradigm believe that "In Control" is probably the most important social project in the last decade. It has been piloting a radically different way of organising social care that fundamentally changes were the power lies and should leave people who use social care services fully in control of their lives, funding and support." Denise says: "We believe this signals the end for institutional care as Local Authorities now have a duty to offer direct payments to eligible individuals. Gateshead and Newcastle Local Authorities are both piloting the "In Control" model. "This project will greatly benefit people who use our services. By being in control of their own support, they are exercising their rights to independence and choice." |
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