Self Directed Support (SDS)

Self-Directed Support means giving you more control over your support. It is a way of personalising your social care.

What is a personal budget?

A personal budget is money that we give to you to arrange and purchase support to meet your needs and outcomes.

A personal budget gives you:

• Choice and control over the support that is right for you.
• A say in all decisions about the help you need to live independently.
• The opportunity to support yourself in ways that suit you.

How do I get a personal budget?

You can only have a personal budget if you have been assessed by Adult Care Services as needing support to help you live independently. If you do not already have a Care Manager, then contact Adult Care Services.  They will see if you are eligible for Adult Care Services and if you are, they will refer you to a Care Manager. If you do have a Care Manager or Social Worker, please contact them directly to request an assessment for a personal budget.

You will complete an assessment with your Care Manager. This assessment is called a supported assessment as you will take an active part in completing it with your Care Manager or Social Worker. In Bury this is called My Adult Care Assessment (MACA).

You will need to have a financial assessment. Trained workers from our Finance Team will look at what money you have coming in and out. They will tell you if you need to pay something towards your support. This assessment adheres to the rules laid out by the Department of Health. Your personal budget is made up of money from Adult Care Services and your contribution, if you assessed as needing to make one.

Once you have completed your assessment, Adult Care Services will then tell you how much money you are likely to have to buy your care and support. This is called an indicative budget.  For more information see the related pages, downloads and links on the right.

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