WIREDGOV

The next steps for a radical shake-up of the way disabled people use state funding, were yesterday announced by Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw.

After listening to their views through a wide-ranging consultation, the government is putting plans in place to give disabled adults more choice and control over the state funding or services they receive.  Disabled adults will be able to take money with which to buy their own support services or equipment through the Right to Control. 

Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, said:

"Through our consultation, disabled people have told us what they want.  They want better control over their lives and control over the services they use.

"Disabled people are the experts in their own lives and that is why, through the Welfare Reform Act, we have put this legislation in place.  This new scheme could have an impact on every area of disabled people’s lives.

"One example may be the way employment services are delivered.  At present a disabled person requiring support from a specialist disability employment programme is given a limited choice about who will support them and how.

"Through these changes, disabled people will be able to decide how they are provided with specialist employment support and who supports them.  It’s these little choices that others may take for granted but build up to a bigger picture of everyday independence."

Disabled people said that it was important to have more choice over adult Community Care services. As a result, the government changed the Welfare Reform Act to include adult Community Care in the Right to Control.

There will be no obligation on disabled people to buy their own support services or equipment through Right to Control.  Individuals could choose to continue receiving the services arranged on their behalf if they prefer, or perhaps have a combination of the two options.

From late 2010, the Right to Control will be tested in around eight local authorities in England.

Notes to Editors

To read the government’s response to the Right to Control consultation, visit www.odi.gov.uk/right-to-control

The Right to Control consultation took place from 11 June – 30 September 2009. In this period, the government supported and/or attended 34 events.

The Right to Control is part of the Welfare Reform Act 2009. The government amended the Welfare Reform Bill to include Adult community care and Integrated community equipment services in the Right to Control pilots. These pilots are called trailblazers.

The funding streams included in the Right to Control test areas are:

• Access to Work
• Work Choice
• Independent Living Fund
• Non-statutory housing related support (also known as Supporting People)
• Disabled Facilities Grant
• Adult Community Care will also be joined up in the test areas. This funding could be used for help within the home or to provide equipment.

Disabled people taking part in the Right to Control trailblazers will have a legal right to:

• be told how much support they are eligible to receive
• decide and agree, with the public body, the outcomes they want to achieve, based on the objectives of the funding streams they access
• have choice and control over the support they receive and
• be able to choose how they receive the support.

The Right to Control has been developed in collaboration with disabled people, through the Right to Control Advisory Group, chaired by Baroness Jane Campbell. Government departments and service providers have also contributed to this group.

Local authorities can apply to become a Right to Control Trailblazer from today, where the scheme will be tested. A ‘Prospectus for potential Trailblazers’ is available from the Office for Disability Issues’ (ODI) website: www.odi.gov.uk/working/information-la.php

ODI is a cross-government organisation that is working towards equality for disabled people. Its website is www.odi.gov.uk  

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