Fast response recognition recognising wishes
I rang Stowmarket office for a review of my personal budget as it required topping up. Response from the duty social worker on the phone was surprisingly prompt. A referral through to a new social worker was agreed and within 5 days I had an appointment. The social worker and I met at my home. She was on time, prepared for our meeting and was ready to develop a positive working relationship. We reviewed the purpose and aims of my care plan, recognising the importance of me as a disabled person having choice in the way my need to remain active and independent were met and that control of my budget was key to the success of myself and the plan. Again within a week, my plan was updated, available to me on a secure E mail (which was a nightmare to use as a Google / chrome user, SCC ITC need to listen to service users experiences). The plan was approved promptly by the manager. I was rather delayed in forwarding my financial assessment to the team at Endeavour House. About two weeks later I received confirmation of the Personal Budget, the available funds and date of transfer to the SIL account. As a former Social Care Manager myself, I was somewhat unsure of how the system might work, given the ongoing constraints on the public purse. I am aware that physically disabled people across the region have had variable service provision and others have been reluctant to give Personal Budgets / Direct Payments a "go". Suffolk Services have enabled me to continue full participation in my local, regional, national and international communities, supporting physically disabled friends and colleagues to take up opportunities in activities and interests, to remain confident and well. I am able as a consequence of the social care I receive, to stay in control of my health and well-being and out of hospital based services. So a huge thank you to Suffolk's Adult Care Services.