Bracknell

Bracknell Forest residents who have a learning disability will be able to take control of their own lifestyle and support if a new scheme is given the go-ahead on Tuesday (December 12).

Members of the Bracknell Council's Executive will consider adopting a scheme called In Control this week to give residents with learning disabilities more freedom to choose how they would like to live their lives.

If it is approved the programme will make it easier for people with a learning disability to determine services they want rather than being told what services they need by Bracknell Council.

It works by each person being allocated a sum of money for their support - which is based on individual needs and circumstances.

People will be supported to develop a plan which says how they wish to use the money to keep them safe and follow the lifestyle of their choice

Checks by the Council will be in place to make sure the money is spent legally and in ways that keep the person safe. There are a number of ways for people to receive the money and arrange their services.

If given the go-ahead by councillors implementation will start in January. It will then gradually be introduced to more than 350 people living in the borough who have a learning disability.

More than 80 other local authorities in the UK have introduced In Control including Wigan Council - which piloted the scheme after mother-of- three Caroline Tomlinson asked for control over her son Joe's support and care.

Mrs Tomlinson, who has already shared her experiences with a group of people with learning difficulties living in the Bracknell borough to outline the benefits, said: "Joe's now living his own life. He's much happier and is doing what he wants to do.

"We were offered help before but it wasn't really the kind of help we wanted. We felt grateful for any kind of help that we got but it wasn't really working for Joe or us as a family.

"With In Control he is able to go to college, he does a voluntary job once a week and he uses a local gym and goes swimming. He's now doing what he wants to do and is fully supported, which works better for all of us."

The system will also have a positive impact on the Council's ability to budget for supporting vulnerable people as it will know how much each person needs each year - rather than commissioning services as and when they are needed.

Daphne Obang, Director of Bracknell Social Services and Housing, said: "In Control will give residents with a learning disability the opportunity to have more freedom choosing the right support package for them.

"It will be tailor-made and crafted by them to reflect their needs, and aspirations so they can live the life they want, just like the rest of us."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, added: "In Control is a way of the Council providing a much more modern service to some of our most vulnerable residents.

"By having their own individual budget for care and support it will give them the freedom to chose how they are supported rather than the Council telling them what they can and cannot have."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council