Announcement created: Wednesday, 16th Feb 2011
Funding to help quality brokerage flourish and grow
We are delighted to have funding from Kent County Council, Medway Council and Kent and Medway primary care trusts to train and quality assure brokers to help people with mental health needs eligible for support with social care needs. We will be adding a new section to the website which will provide information about personal budgets as well as help to find a quality broker. So watch this space!
Broker training course completed
‘Life-enhancing’ and ‘empowering’ were some of the words used by participants to describe the Signpost broker course which took place this month. During the five-day course, the role of the broker was explained and explored and participants learnt how they could support people to develop a plan which could be used with a personal budget.
Self-directed support is where people work out for themselves what support they need to get the life they want. On the course, we learnt about the history of self-directed support dating back since the 1970s, and then went on to learn about how self-directed support is being delivered now.
During the training, participants were assessed to see if they meet the competencies to become a Signpost registered broker.
We now have 25 people trained as brokers. Visit the personal budgets and brokerage section of the website for more information.
Jargon buster!
Personalisation
People having choice and control over how they manage their mental health and the support they receive.
Personal budget
Clear, up-front allocation of money from social services that a person can use to design and purchase support for their eligible social care needs.
Individual budget
Like personal budgets but includes more than social care money – such as Supporting People money.
Direct payment
One way of getting your personal budget. Cash payment paid directly to the person.
Kent Card
Another way of getting your personal budget if you live within the Kent County Council boundary. It's a Visa card which enables people to get direct payments without having to set up or manage their own bank account.
Brokerage
The process of supporting individuals with a personal budget to find and choose resources that enable them to meet their assessed needs and have a better life.
Signpost Kent registered support broker
A person accredited by Signpost Kent who is committed to working within the Signpost Kent Quality Charter when providing a brokerage service.
Signpost Kent registered peer support broker
A person accredited by Signpost Kent with personal experience of mental health issues who is committed to working within the Signpost Kent Quality Charter when providing a brokerage service.