Individual budget

By Tricia

Tue 29 Apr 2008 05:59

For those of you who know me will probably know that I have been looking at the Individual Budget for my son. I was made to believe that this would allow him more choices to what he has now. We are fortunate that we already get a good service with respite along with an Easter and Summer holiday play scheme. However, he is not always keen to go into respite so the Individual Budget would of given him a broader choice on what respite care he would prefer.

UNTIL we got the dreaded budget for the year which was approximately a third less than what is already spent on his yearly budget which the local authority provide. Yet, when I costed what he would prefer to do it would cost approximately the same and in some cases a little bit more..... so much for choices mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

As you may of worked out I have opted out not to take the Individual Budget which I am slightly diappointed as it has not lived up to giving him the choices which we were led to believe it would of done.......

However, I do think it would be suitable for some families out there so if anyone has the chance to look into them I would say go in with an open mind and do consider it as it may but suitable for your circumstances.

take care

tricia