COULD SELF DIRECTED SUPPORT HELP YOU LIVE

THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LEAD?

Are you fed up with 'Professionals' deciding what support
you need?
Would you like to be more in control over the way you live
your life?
Do you believe that EVERYONE is entitled to make choices
about their own life?
If any of the above rings true for you, then maybe Self Directed Support
could be a way forward…….

What is Self Directed Support (SDS)?

Self Directed Support aims to help people stay independent, safe and well. It
is a new way for you to get the support you need to get on with your life. It
gives people more choice over the way they live their lives.

For more information about Self Directed Support visit: www.in-control.org.uk

and the Croydon Website: www.croydon.gov.uk

The Croydon Independent Support Brokerage Service (a partnership

between Croydon Council and a consortium of voluntary
organisations) works with service users who qualify for SDS (see
below to find out if you could qualify for SDS) to find out about their
individual hopes and dreams and support the person to come up
with a plan for spending and managing their money (a budget
awarded to the service user by social services).

Eric Nash is a Service User and a member of Hear

Us (Croydon’s Mental Health User Group). In the
account below Eric shares his experience of SDS
and working with Nichola (one of the Support
Brokers)
“My Personal Experience of using the Croydon
Support Brokers (CISBS) to get the support I feel I
need, my way”.
 1. How did you hear about Self Directed Support?
The Care Manager at Purley Resource Centre (CMHT) and my CPN (care
coordinator) - talked to me about it.
My team find it difficult to get the right kind of care for me; they thought that if I
was able to have more input and 'buy' in my own care package, it could have
a more lasting effect than treatment that involves being TOLD what to do.

2. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have been with the mental health services since the age of 15 and I am now
44 years old. I have always been told my issues and problems stem from the
past (childhood) and I can’t get closure to them. I have used all the traditional
methods: hospital admissions, psychiatrists, CMHT’s, medication (lots of
medication!), all of which have helped to a degree, but none of which have
really been targeted at me, or taken account of my full needs (as a person,
not just a mental health diagnosis) TILL NOW.

They (the Mental Health Professionals) don’t really know what to diagnose
me with. I’ve been through many different ‘cocktails’ of medication,
depending on which ‘diagnosis’ I have been given at that time. I am now as
confused as anyone! These days when I turn up to see my psychiatrist, it’s
like
“So, what is my diagnosis today doc?!!!”

I felt so alone in my own space and was really fed up. I’d spent so many
years battling my demons with the support of traditional services, (they help to
a degree, but don/t get to the nitty gritty; i.e. they just help to keep me afloat;
although psychotherapy was extremely useful in helping me to deal with
some of my issues).
Then I heard about Self Directed Support (SDS) and thought

This could probably be one of the only chances I have of reaching

45!
3. So now you are a Pioneer for Self Directed Support!

I am my care coordinator's first candidate for SDS, as well as being the first
Service User from Purley CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) to try
SDS on the grounds of mental health. My CPN sold the idea of SDS to me
as:
“My chance to make real changes to my treatment by receiving a set
amount of money to spend as I want, in ways that I feel will help me most”.

SDS means that I can choose my own care; care that will be relevant to ME,
(whatever my diagnosis). For example, the worst time of the day for me is
the evenings – CMHT’s don’t cover these hours, and I end up going to A&E,
waiting for 5 hours, only to sit with someone for 5 minutes while they talk at
me before sending me on my merry way!
With SDS, I have been allocated a budget, and I can use this money how I
want to, in ways that I feel will support me best.
I can be as creative as I like, and really think outside the box (i.e. outside of
traditional services). For example, I think it would help me to have someone
to stay over at my house during the night sometimes. I suffer from serious
nightmares and the nighttimes are especially bad for rumination.
I would also like to have someone to come on holiday with me, both as a
companion and for support. With SDS, this could be possible.
Other support might include having someone to come over for a chat once a
week.

4. So how does SDS actually work?

My CPN introduced the idea of Self Directed Support to me

She then requested the relevant paperwork for us to fill out together.
About a week later the forms arrived. Since SDS was a new concept for my
CPN as well as for me, we learnt about it together!
From the information my CPN and I provided, it was then decided how much
money I would get per week. (Known as the Indicative Budget)
Next I was told I would have to produce a presentation of my plan (how I
intend to ‘spend’ the money) to go to ‘panel’ who would then agree or
disagree my plan.

5. This is where the Support Brokerage Service comes in?

Yes. My care coordinator arranged for a Support Broker, Nichola, to meet
with us. It was an amazing breath of fresh air to meet someone so
enthusiastic and excited about the help they were offering. Her
vivaciousness kept me in my seat (I am easily bored!). She was bubbly,
impressive and very informative at the same time. She kept me interested
and now Nicola and I are working on my presentation together. I’ve met with
Nicola twice now.
During our first meeting we went through another presentation done by an
anonymous service user, to show me how to build up a presentation for the
Panel.
To decide on my care and support, we discussed what I would like, what I
would not like, what helps me and what doesn’t etc.
I have thoroughly enjoyed doing the presentation with Nichola. Being able
to use graphics, slides, pictures, voices, video sessions round Croydon etc,
to represent what I like, what I don’t, what I need, what I enjoy – and finally
adding music to my presentation – all my choices.

My presentation will now go to panel who will look at my presentation, and

(hopefully) agree to give me the money to pay for the care and support as
laid out in my support plan.

6. And what happens next?

The money gets paid into a separate bank account. I will be in charge of the
money. It is a bit daunting to be in charge of my own money but this is my
own choice. Some service users may choose to have their money
managed by other people. I will also be employing the people I choose to
support me, care workers etc. Not SLaM, or other agencies – I will be doing
all the employing myself. I get to interview people myself. This way I'll be
able to see if there is a connection between me and them i.e. basically,
whether or not we will get on together. I have done this a lot in my career.
7. What changes do you think this will make to your life?
My whole team is excited, which is infectious – it is new and I like new
things. I hope that SDS will give me more stability. I will be getting the care I
NEED when I NEED IT MOST.

8. What would you say to other Service Users who might

be considering Self Directed Support?
Be prepared to give it a go – you have got nothing to lose.
I am excited and want to spread the news as far and wide as possible

9. Do you have any worries or concerns about SDS?

I worry that I might lose the traditional support I currently receive.
Also, I feel slightly daunted about the responsibility of being my own
employer etc, managing the budget, dealing with tax returns etc.

(NB: If YOU decide NOT to manage your own money you can ask
Croydon Council to manage your budget and arrange services for
you. You could also nominate a representative who you know and
trust well such as a family member or friend. There is also lots of
support for people who want to manage their budget independently
from the Direct Payment Support Service:
Direct Payments Support Service:
Tel: 020 8684 5538
directpayments@disabilitycroydon.org.uk

“SDS allows people to take full control over their support needs.
People can choose to continue with their existing support or use their
personal budget for other types of services, such as going out on day
trips rather than attend day centres. A person can choose to continue
to have services provided for them through their care coordinator or
take control of their budget via direct payment or have a combination
of the two. A personal budget is allocated according to your needs,
taking in to account the type and impact of that need to a persons
independence. Not all needs would be eligible for a personal budget”.
Affy Wajid
SDS Operations Manager
13th Floor (South)
Taberner House
ext 63645
What the Support Broker said…………………
NICHOLA HARRIS
Independent
Support Broker: As
a Broker part of our
role is to assist clients
in creating their own
support plan. This
can be very different
from one person to another. Not all our
Support Plans are created in the same
format (e.g. pictorial, PowerPoint), it is
entirely the choice of the individual.
However in this particular case the
client wanted their plan very
visual. Using the Person Centred
Planning Approach this included the
implementation of PowerPoint slides,
images, videos and music to give the
client the opportunity to explore their
needs and interests in a holistic and
Nichola has had several years experience working alongside adults with mental
health problems within various voluntary organisations in Croydon. To learn more
about Nichola and the other Support Brokers, you can view their profiles by
visiting their website. www.cisbs.org.uk or contacting the Support Brokers:
How do I find out if I can apply
for Self Directed Support?
NB: SDS will not suit everyone and not
everybody is eligible. To find out whether
or not you can apply for SDS:
Speak to your care coordinator if
you have one
Ask your GP to refer you to your
Community Mental Health Team
(CMHT)
Contact Croydon Social Services,
Department of Adult Services and
Housing, Tel: 020 8726 6500,
E-mail: SDS.team@croydon.gov.uk
creative way.
This client chose to come to our
office to put their own plan together,
(this arrangement suited both broker
and client).
Creating a support plan can vary from
person to person but with this particular
client it involved four meetings
including going out and filming their
favorite coffee place.
Being taken on this personal journey
with someone was a very refreshing,
rewarding and an interesting and
unique experience for me. To see the
motivation, enthusiasm, and
commitment from my client who
generally seemed excited about what
the future may hold, and a life changing
experience for them, can only be a
positive thing.
CROYDON INDEPENDENT
SUPPORT BROKERAGE
Address: CISBS
Orchard House
15a Purley Road
South Croydon
CR2 6EZ
Tel: 020 8253 8210
Email: info@cisbs.org.uk