(PDF: 60KB). As of 13 December 2010, disabled people in Barnet have the 'Right to Control'. This is a new legal right, which enables people to take control over the support they receive from the following organisations or funding streams:
If you use any of these services, exercising your Right to Control should mean that you have one single assessment and planning process for all of these funding streams. It should also mean that you can control how to manage the money for your support - you will receive one 'Personal Budget' for all these different kinds of support.
As of 13 December 2010, disabled people will have the right to be:
For more information on the Right to Control see the Social Care Connect website (external link).
If you have any questions or comments about the Right to Control, please contact the Delivering Choice and Independence Team:
The Barnet Older People's Assembly was held on 14 October at the Hendon Town Hall.
Key speakers at this event were Council Leader Lynne Hillan and Chief Executive of Barnet NHS, Cameron Ward. Both speakers expressed the importance of having continued discussion with the public about developments in Barnet. They also stated that the Assembly will provide an ideal forum to allow older people to play a central role in communicating with the Council.
Three workshops were held which dealt with current issues. These were:
The follow-up report to this Assembly will bring together the large number of comments, ideas, suggestions and questions that were offered by participants.
Planning is now focussed on the next Assembly which will be held in April 2010. We are in the process of establishing an interim committee which will help coordinate and determine the direction of future meetings.
If you would like to be part of this, please contact Stan Davison on 020 8931 3795 or Sue Packman on 020 8447 0379 for more information. Or you can contact Caroline Powls:
We would like to thank all those who took part in what will be an ongoing, positive venture in Barnet.
On behalf of the Barnet 55+ Forum
Budget for Adult Social ServicesLike all of local government, Barnet's Adult Social Services face a challenging few years. We have created an Adult Social Services Budget Information page to tell you more about the situation we are facing.
Social Care ConnectSocial Care Connect an online resource that allows people who use social care services and the wider commnunity to find out about services and activities in thier area. Visitors to the website can also rate services, leave comments and discuss their experience of a service or activity with others.
Social Care DirectThere is now a new way to contact Adult Social Services. If you need information, advice or access to social care services, you can contact Social Care Direct:
Adult Social Services have set up a Customer Expert Network, to give more Barnet residents the chance to share their views on health and social care services in the borough, as well as giving feedback on other council services.
The Customer Expert Network is a group of volunteers who will help to shape and develop future support services in Barnet, and provide feedback on those that the council already provide. This Network could be called upon to discuss a range of issues from across the council, including social care support, transport or environmental issues, for example.
People who use services and Carers are experts in their own care and support needs, and we think that their involvement in planning services is essential to make sure that they work as they should. Our vision is to increase the level of involvement of ‘experts by experience’ in the way services are run, in the shaping of services we will deliver and in working with us to improve.
As a member of the Customer Expert Network, you can be involved as much or as little as you like. If you prefer, we can work with you via email or over the phone, or you can attend small group meetings, or larger ‘partnership’ meetings with other organisations. You can also specify what your particular interests are so we only call on you when a topic that you know about or have an interest in is up for discussion.
Support is provided where necessary to allow people to participate and the council will cover costs incurred in attending events or meetings (for example, respite costs).
If you are interested in joining the Customer Expert Network, or would like more information, please contact Caroline Powls, Involvement Officer:
Alternatively, you can print and complete the Customer Expert Network Expression of Interest Form (PDF: 60KB).
Our services supporting older adults and safeguarding vulnerable adults in Barnet are good with promising signs of improvement according to national experts.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the national body that monitors councils’ performance in this area, visited Barnet Council in May 2009 to assess standards of adult social care in the borough. As well as speaking to the council, the commission spoke to users of services including older people and carers;
(PDF: 230KB) (PDF: 1MB).