Changes to give disabled people more control over their future

Changes to the way people with disabilities are supported will ensure all disabled people have more choice and control in the way they live.

This includes how the authority will work with families, communities and a wide range of organisations to ensure that people are at the centre of choosing the care and support that suits them.

Under the new proposals, changes to the service will see the setting up of new teams designed to get the best care packages for people, freeing up social workers so they can concentrate on care and assessing what a person needs to help them in their daily life.

There will also be the creation of a ‘transitions team,’ dedicated to support children and young people through the critical stage of transferring to adulthood.  This team will work closely with disabled young people from the age of 14 to help them lead as independent a life as possible.

Added to this, changes to how children and adults assessments are managed will mean consistency across all adult and children’s social care.

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[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]County Councillor Alan White, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing said:  “People in Staffordshire, regardless of their needs, should be able to live a life that is as healthy, active and independent as possible, with support from local communities.

“This refocused approach fits in with changes in social work practice and will ensure that people with disabilities experience better physical and emotional wellbeing.

“Support for disabled people moving from childhood to adult life will better, with dedicated help to support people in to independence.  The evolution of our current service will achieve better results for local people, and will deliver our shared vision to ensure that all disabled people have independent, safe and active lives.” [/box]

The proposals will be discussed at Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet on August 17th.