Disabled get to control services

DISABLED people in Newham now have the right to control services as the borough launches a radical shake-up in the way they use State funding.

It means they can buy their own support services or equipment through the Right to Control.

Newham Council is one of the first five areas in the country to give disabled people greater control to spend money they receive from the government in the way they feel is most appropriate for their needs.

They will be given advice to help choose services and decide how to spend their money, or if people are happy with the support they currently receive, they won’t have to change anything.

Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People, visited Newham to launch Right to Control.

She said: “This is about increasing personalisation and putting disabled people in charge of their own decision-making – instead of telling them what they can and can’t spend their money on.

“Disabled people should have the same choices and opportunities as everyone else and I am convinced that this will help to deliver the greater independence that disabled people tell me they want.

“I need to make it clear that Right to Control does not change eligibility for these services, but means that disabled people can use their funding more flexibly.”

For example, someone with a learning disability may get help from Supporting People to learn skills like cooking and budgeting.

They may also get support from Work Choice, which helps people find a job. They could choose to combine their support by paying for a college course.

Partnerships between local authorities, Jobcentre Plus and disabled people’s organisations will work with disabled people to develop individual support plans.

It is said each plan will make effective use of all the funding available to an individual to meet their goals.