ECDP submitted a formal response to this consultation, which can be downloaded here: ECDP response to ECC consultation.

The response says that ECDP supports the concept of self-directed support (SDS) as it aligns itself very much to the principles of independent living, potentially delivering real choice and control to disabled people. ECDP believes SDS is a natural extension of the current direct payments system which we believe has generally worked well and delivered benefits to users who have taken advantage of it. ECDP will do everything it can to ensure SDS is successful, but will also continue to provide a voice for disabled people in Essex and will therefore be holding the County Council to account accordingly.

ECDP submitted a formal response to this consultation, which can be downloaded here: ECDP response to ECC consultation.

The response says that ECDP supports the concept of self-directed support (SDS) as it aligns itself very much to the principles of independent living, potentially delivering real choice and control to disabled people. ECDP believes SDS is a natural extension of the current direct payments system which we believe has generally worked well and delivered benefits to users who have taken advantage of it. ECDP will do everything it can to ensure SDS is successful, but will also continue to provide a voice for disabled people in Essex and will therefore be holding the County Council to account accordingly.

We will be using the money to expand a successful volunteering programme that helps disabled people become more confident and less isolated in the community. The expansion will include training disabled people to become volunteers so they can help others in the community and gain valuable skills.

Ann Gregson, Volunteers and Mentoring Manager at EDCP, said: "We are really pleased to have been granted funding from the Big Lottery Fund. It means that our very worthwhile project, the Independent Visitors Scheme, can continue to build on the success it has had so far. We will also be able to move into areas of Essex that we have not had the capacity to deal with in the past.

"The volunteers and clients involved in the scheme will be thrilled to learn that the project will continue. We have volunteers who were once clients of the scheme who had no confidence, had problems going out into their community and had little hope of ever finding employment. One such volunteer is now doing a post-graduate degree in disability equality at Anglia Ruskin University."

Mike Adams, Chief Executive of ECDP, commented: "This is excellent news for disabled people in Cambridgeshire and will provide a real voice, bringing together those in all parts of the county. It is also recognition for the work carried out by ECDP and we are delighted to be able to share our knowledge and expertise. Every county should have a Centre for Inclusive Living to represent the views and needs of disabled people and we look forward to a successful project!"

Lynn Hester, from Cambridgeshire, said: "This funding is crucial to further develop involvement and influence of disabled people in Cambridgeshire. I hope all disabled people in the county will take full advantage of working on this project to improve our services and choices."

For further information on the project, please contact Rich Watts, Director of Operations.

The County Council plans to change the way it provides adult social care by introducing self-directed support and personal budgets for all new service users from the second half of 2008. This is likely to mean that, instead of being told what care package they will receive, people who qualify will instead receive a personal budget and they can decide how to allocate it.

Mike Adams , Chief Executive of ECDP, said: “This consultation gives disabled people, and organisations like ECDP that provide services for disabled people, an opportunity to shape the future of social care in Essex. ECDP believes that any developments which potentially mean that disabled people are able to live independently should be welcomed.”

ECDP will submit a formal response to the consultation in due course, and the response will be made available on our website. If you would like to make a comment to ECDP on any aspect of the consultation, please contact us.

 Notes

1. ECDP is an organisation run by and for disabled people in Essex. Our main aim is to enhance the quality of the lives of disabled people in Essex with physical and sensory impairments, learning difficulties and / or mental health service users.

2. ECDP provides a range of services and projects for disabled people, their carers, families and those interested more generally in disability equality. Details of these services and projects can be found on our website.

3. You can access more details on the consultation about adult social care in Essex through the Essex County Council website

4. “Putting Essex People First” is part of the broad shift in the way adult social care is provided in England. These reforms, which are spearheaded by the Department of Health, aim to “ put people first, enabling people to live their own lives as they wish, confident that services are of high quality, are safe and promote their own individual needs for independence, well-being and dignity.” More information is available on the Department of Health’s website.

The County Council plans to change the way it provides adult social care by introducing self-directed support and personal budgets for all new service users from the second half of 2008. This is likely to mean that, instead of being told what care package they will receive, people who qualify will instead receive a personal budget and they can decide how to allocate it.

Mike Adams , Chief Executive of ECDP, said: “This consultation gives disabled people, and organisations like ECDP that provide services for disabled people, an opportunity to shape the future of social care in Essex. ECDP believes that any developments which potentially mean that disabled people are able to live independently should be welcomed.”

ECDP will submit a formal response to the consultation in due course, and the response will be made available on our website. If you would like to make a comment to ECDP on any aspect of the consultation, please get in touch with us. 

If so, ECDP can help...

We are registered with the Criminal Records Bureau as an umbrella organisation, which means we can carry out CRB checks on behalf of other businesses and organisations. Until recently we have offered this service on an invitation only basis, but due to demand we have decided to expand this facility.