Wandsworth: Self-directed support

Personal budget

Claudia has learning disabilities and first received her personal budget from Wandsworth’s Adult Social Services in March 2009. The money has meant that Claudia can live independently with her friend and has enabled her to become an active citizen in the community.

Personal choice

Claudia explains: “I used to live with my sister, but I wanted to live in my own place. I also used to attend a day centre twice a week but I wasn’t enjoying it. A personal budget has given me more control. By cutting down the number of days at the day centre, I have more money to spend on the activities that I enjoy. “My money pays for a travel buddy to help me cross the road safely, use public transport and get to places on time. It means I can visit my sister at the weekends and volunteer at The Bridge, a café. I have made lots of friends there. I feel more independent now. I receive this money as a direct payment and I get lots of help to manage it from my support worker and my sister. Some services, like the theatre classes I attend, are paid for directly by the council. A support worker comes to my house a few times a week to help me with cooking, cleaning and paying bills.

“I attend an art project at the day centre once a week and I like to go karaoke and shopping with my friends. They sometimes come back to mine for dinner. My next step is to exercise at the gym and go swimming. I am happy.”