Fact sheets
In Control has developed a series of fact sheets, there are fact sheets on a range of different subjects, such as an introduction to self-directed support; how to make a support plan; organising your money; housing; jobs; opening a bank account; wills and trusts; person centred planning plus much more.
We have been working with a number of organisations to produce bespoke versions of these fact sheets as well as a variety of information material and resources.
To find out how we can help your organisation communicate personalisation, contact us at admin@in-control.org.uk or 01564 821 650.
Search Fact sheets
01. Introduction to self-directed support
This fact sheet tells you what self-directed support is and how it works. It gives links to other fact sheets and resources.
This fact sheet tells you how you can get started with self-directed support. It gives links to other fact sheets and resources with more detailed information.
This fact sheet tells you about assessment and resource allocation. You start by filling out an assessment form with your social worker.
When you've done your self-assessment form and the local authority has given you an 'indicative' budget (an amount that may still change), you make a support plan. This fact sheet tells you what you can do if you don't think you agree with the amount in your resource allocation.
05. How to make a support plan
You are ready to write your support plan when your local authority has given you an idea of how much your personal budget is. This fact sheet tells you how to make a support plan and what you need to put in it.
Some people can plan and organise their own support without any help. Others want help from 'support brokers'. This fact sheet tells you about what support brokerage is and who you might choose as a support broker.
Your local authority needs to see and agree to your support plan before they can decide what your final budget is. This fact sheet tells you how to get your support plan agreed by your local authority.
There are several ways that you can take and manage the money you get for your support. This fact sheet tells you about ways you can organise the money you have as an Individual or Personal Budget.
There are different ways you can organise your support. You can organise it all yourself, organise part of it and get someone else to do the rest. If you don't want to organise it at all, you can get someone else to do everything. This fact sheet tells you about the various options.
This fact sheet offers ideas about different ways of getting support. You don't have to get support from a professional organisation. There are lots of others ways of arranging support.
The whole point of self-directed support is that people can be in charge of their support so they can live the life they choose. This fact sheet tells you about ways that you can make the most of your personal budget so you can live your life your way.
12. Seeing how it worked-review
Your care manager or social worker about once a year to see how things are going. But you can ask for a meeting any time. Your care manager or social worker needs to know how your plan is working. Also, you can help other people organise their support by telling what worked and didn't work for you.
13. Personal budgets, individual budgets and direct payments
People who can get support from their council might have a personal budget or an individual budget. They can take the money in these budgets as a direct payment. This fact sheet explains the difference between personal budgets, individual budgets and direct payments.
14. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks
A DBS check, previously known as a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, tells you about someone's criminal history. If you want to employ your own staff, it is sensible to know if someone has a criminal record. If you are employing someone to support a child or vulnerable adult, you should ...
15. Transport - getting out and about
Transport is important to most people who want to live a good life. Sometimes, though, getting out and about is easier said than done. This fact sheet tells you about transport options and how you could spend some of your personal budget on getting around.
16. Managing risks and safeguarding
We all live with risk in our lives. Life would be dull without risk. And taking some risks is part of learning. But, some people who need support can be more at risk than others. This fact sheet explains how to manage risk and also keep safe from harm or abuse.
17. Stuff or staff - equipment and technology
Many people spend their personal budget on getting support from other people. But the best thing about self-directed support is you can spend the money in a way that suits you. For some people, this means finding ways of being independent without a supporter there - using equipment and technology.
Where you live and who with is one of the biggest decisions in everyone's life. Most people buy or rent their home. But people who need support have often lived in special places where they had no security and couldn't choose who they lived with. Fortunately, things have changed in recent years. There are lots of housing choices for people who need support. Now it's a case of deciding what is right for you.
19. Jobs
Many people who need support have often spent their days at day centres. But more and more people now have jobs. There are specialist organisations that support people to find and keep a job. These days, getting a job can mean that you are better off than being on benefits. This fact sheet discusses the good things about having a job and tells you how you might find one.
20. History of the social care system
You don't need to know about the history of social care to enjoy the control that self-directed support offers. But the information in this fact sheet shows what an important change self-directed support is. There is a separate fact sheet that explains self-directed support.
22. Money - resource allocation
This fact sheet tells you how a local authority decides how much money you can get for support.
23. Organising Support - Do It Yourself
This fact sheet tells you how you can organise your support yourself.
24. Using a support provider
Some people like to organise their support themselves. They like the responsibility and the control.
25. Opening a bank account
If you have a personal or individual budget you will need a separate bank account. Opening a bank account can be complicated. This fact sheet explains how to open an account. It tells you about different kinds of account, identity and opening an account on behalf of someone who 'lacks capacity'.
26. Fair Access to Care
Fair Access to Care Services is a Government document. It tells local authorities how they can set eligibility for social services - who can get a social service and who can't. This fact sheet tells you about FACS.
27. Disabled Facilities Grants
One way is to arrange the work through your local council using a Disabled Facilities Grant - DFG. This fact sheet tells you about DFGs.
28. Personal Health Budgets
This fact sheet tells you about personal health budgets.
29. Postural care
People with movement problems often spend lots of time in limited positions that can distort their bodies. This can cause secondary complications and can be very painful. Postural care is about protecting someone's body shape so they can live as healthy a life as possible. The information here is borrowed from Simple Stuff Works own fact sheet.
30. Short breaks
If you support a disabled person, you probably know the idea of 'respite'. Often 'respite' means going into a residential care home for a short time to give the 'carer' a break. Personal Budgets open up some new ways of taking a break. For example, more and more people are taking a holiday with a supporter, rather than spending a week in a care home.
31. Community equipment
Many disabled people living in the community may need equipment to help them live their daily lives. This fact sheet tells you about how you can get the equipment which will best support your needs and help you stay mobile.
32. Reablement
Reablement is a short-term service, usually up to six weeks, for people who need support to live in their homes independently. The aim is to help you put in place the arrangements needed for you to get out and about and do the things you need to. This fact sheet tells you more about reablement and how it works.
33. Wills and Trusts
You can make sure that a family member or friend with a disability will get the financial support and protection they need after your death. This fact sheet has been written to give parents, family members and carers helpful information about writing a will and setting up a trust, and includes links to further information.
34. Person centred planning
It is a way of working that helps people to plan and organise their future by putting them at the heart of the process. It was developed for individuals and families, to put them in control and help them to work out what makes sense for them. " Person centred planning belongs to the people and not the system." O'Brien, Pierpoint, Forest, Snow. This fact sheet explains more about how person centred planning works.
35. Personal Budgets and older people
Just because you are older and need support it doesn't mean that you should lose control of your life, your independence and everything that is important to you. If you are helping a relative who is older and needs support it doesn't mean you have to do everything for them as their carer. This fact sheet explains how self-directed support and personal budgets can help older people have choice and control over their lives.
36. Mental health and self-directed support
Self- directed support is for everyone who is eligible for social care funding. This fact sheet answers some of the most commonly heard questions about how people with mental health problems can, and should be included and gives links to useful sources of information and evidence.
37. Micro enterprises
Micro enterprises are small businesses. A micro enterprise is a good way of doing something you like and getting paid for it. And you're the boss. This fact sheet explains what a micro enterprise is and how you can set up your own.
38. Friendship and relationships
Friendships and relationships are essential to our well-being. It is human nature to want the company of others. This fact sheet tells you how you can build better friendships and relationships for yourself, the people you love and care about and for those who don't yet have anyone in their life.
39. Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) have the same right as anyone else to be included, heard, considered and understood. Just because someone does not use words, it does not mean they can't communicate their preferences and share what is important to them. Self-directed support, such as direct payments and individual budgets, has the potential to transform the lives of people with a learning disability. It is crucial that people with PMLD can benefit from self-directed support too.
40. Getting involved in your community
There are many things that can cause people to be cut off from their community such as a disability, mental health issue, change in circumstance, loss, house move, illness, having a baby or just getting older. But for many people who already have busy lives, getting involved in their community can seem too time consuming or an unnecessary extra burden. Taking part in community activity helps to build friendships and support networks which can bring together those who are isolated, and prevent others from becoming isolated. This fact sheet looks at different ways people can get involved in their community.
41. Five ways to wellbeing
The 'five ways to well-being' is a set of simple actions which can help improve your mental health and well-being. This fact sheet gives you some simple ideas on how you can keep your mind healthy and act on the 'five ways to well-being'.
42. How to give something back to your community
A true community is a place where everyone feels empowered and able to 'give something back' and make a valued contribution. 'Giving something back' to your community can help improve your happiness and well-being. This fact sheet looks at different ways that you contribute and 'give something back' to your community.
43. Self-directed support and BME communities
This fact sheet provides information about how self-directed support can be introduced to people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.
44. Employing your own staff
Many people using self-directed support choose to employ their own staff. This brings with it the role and responsibilities of being an employer. This fact sheet is an introduction to employing your own staff. It is important to get good advice and support before becoming an employer. The fact sheet is an introduction to employing your own staff. It is important to get good advice and support before becoming an employer. The fact sheet tells you where you can find more information and advice.
45. The Mental Capacity Act 2005
This fact sheet gives a brief introduction to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.The Mental Capacity Act contains a lot of information and this fact sheet gives a very general overview of what it says. At the end of this fact sheet you will find a list of places where you can find out more detail ed information.
