Croydon residents will have greater control over their individual care and related budgets if the council’s cabinet approves proposals being discussed next week.
The council’s programme – Transforming Adult Social Care; A Life, Not A Care Plan – aims to give vulnerable residents better quality of life through a more tailored service. The idea is that more people will live independently for longer in their own homes and receive more help to access a range of services in the community.
The proposals include giving residents eligible for care packages, if they want to and are able to do so, the option to choose how they spend money that is currently allocated on their behalf. This could range from paying for personal care to accessing more sports and social activities that promote health and well-being.
If approved, the programme would also give people with social care packages more information about local facilities and activities, both to keep them active and reduce the need for long-term support.
By giving residents greater control over how their care budgets are spent and focusing on prevention, the council estimates it will save taxpayers’ money and deliver a more sustainable system to meet growing demand in the borough, which will have 36% more people aged over 85 by 2019.
If cabinet agrees the proposals at next Monday’s meeting, the council’s first step will be to carry out a full review of the current system and work with service users and carers to identify what it will need in future. The council will also engage with residents to help shape the long-term plan.
“This is about completely redesigning how we deliver social care services to give Croydon residents even more independence and choice.
“These proposals will give each individual a greater say than ever before in how their money is spent and a more tailored, personalised approach to social care.
“As well as providing a more responsive service that focuses on people’s lives, not just a care plan, we’ll also better manage growing demand and rising pressure on council finances.”
Councillor Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for families, health and social care
The council’s plans also include working with health and voluntary sector colleagues to establish an alliance that delivers more co-ordinated services for the over-65s, plus an age 0-64 service incorporating children’s services, special educational needs and disabilities.
