A personal budget is a clear, upfront amount of funding from Adult Social Care which you can spend on the services and support you need to help you live more independently. It can be used to buy services from both the council and other providers, mixing and matching what’s available from different organisations.
Anyone aged 18 or over who is eligible for social care support can have a personal budget - but it's your choice whether you manage your budget yourself or whether someone else does this on your behalf (see 'Ways you can receive and manage your personal budget', below).
Self-directed assessment
Assessment is different for a personal budget, as it is led by you. During your assessment, and afterwards as you build your support plan, it's important to think about how you would like your life to be, rather than just the things you need help with.
Finding out what you can spend on your support
Once you have completed the self-directed assessment with your care manager, this information will be used to work out your indicative budget. The amount will be based on the needs and preferences you've identified during assessment.
It's called an 'indicative' budget because at this stage it's a rough figure, to help you start planning your support. The final amount will be agreed when your support plan is approved (see below), to allow for any changes.
Putting together your support plan
The support plan is your plan for how you want to use your personal budget. It should include what you want to change in your life, and what you plan to do to make those changes happen. These kinds of things are known as 'outcomes' (for further information see What is an outcome? ).
It also includes information about what you would do if something didn't go to plan - for example, if a personal assistant or carer was unavailable at short notice - and how you will manage any risks.
You will build your support plan with help from your care manager, and you can involve friends, relatives and carers if you want to.
You can download a blank support plan on the right of this page.
Ways you can receive and manage your personal budget
There are several ways you can receive your personal budget - it's your choice!
- as a direct payment
- as a direct payment to someone else - e.g. a family member you trust
- as a direct payment to a Trust - e.g. a group of family members
- Individual Service Funds - this is where a provider looks after your budget on your behalf
- managed by the council - there are some restrictions to what services you can buy if your budget is managed this way - check with your care manager
- mixed budget - a combination of the above
For further information, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Back to self directed support menu.