The Right to Control is a new right for disabled people which is being piloted in Surrey and six other local authority areas, known as Trailblazers. The other Trailblazers are:
The Right to Control lets disabled people make their own decisions about their support using a range of public services. This is instead of other people making decisions for them.
It means disabled people can take a direct payment to buy housing and employment services they need, as they already can do with social care services. They do not necessarily have to manage the direct payment themselves.
The Right requires that all the public bodies involved work together in order to collectively meet the individual needs of each disabled person.
It is being tested in the Epsom & Ewell, and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council areas only. These areas were chosen because the Self Directed Support scheme was originally tested there and because they were already developing information and support services run by local disabled people, known as Hubs. The Hub Epsom opened in September 2010 and the Hub Redhill opened in May 2011.
The 'Right to Control' is being tested from 13 December 2010. The pilot will last for two years.
Disabled adults (aged 18 and over) who live in the Trailblazer area and who are offered support by one of the organisations involved are eligible for the Right to Control.
People with learning disabilities, with physical or sensory impairments, with long-term conditions, with disabilities due to old age or with mental health needs are eligible.
It does not change the rules that are used to determine whether someone is eligible for the support they have asked for.
They will be told about:
The Right to Control can be accessed via six funding streams. These public bodies will work together to provide the services needed by a disabled person.
If someone is already receiving support from the Independent Living Fund they will be sent information about the Right to Control. If someone is already receiving social care support, they can have the ‘Right to Control’ when their support package is reviewed with their adult social care practitioner.
An essential part of enabling disabled individuals to exercise choice and control over the support they receive is ensuring that they have adequate support to do so.
Advice and information, support, advocacy and brokerage about and for the Right to Control will be available from a range and choice of information, support, advocacy, and brokerage services.
More information about this is available in the Right to Control leaflet which you can download below.
Choice and control is not necessarily about having a direct payment.
For some individuals, a direct payment may not be the most effective way to have control. Others may prefer to have an influence over the support they receive but may not want to take a direct payment, manage money and employ staff.
Individuals will be supported to have choice and control, even if they choose not to take a direct payment.
Individuals who choose to receive a direct payment will be given appropriate guidance and support on how to manage the funding provided, and will be provided with a clear indication of their responsibilities.
To make the Right to Control process as clear and accessible as possible to the disabled person, any information with which they are provided will be presented in a format which is appropriate for that individual.
Appropriate formats include, but are not limited to, large print, audio CD, Braille, Easy Read and British Sign Language.
For Right to Control information in large print, on tape, in Braille, and other languages please contact us on:
Leaflet about Right to Control - a new right for disabled people
Easy read (accessible) version of leaflet about Right to Control - a new right for disabled people updated April 2012
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/?a=181267
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