Main Event - Flexibility in Direct Payments

ILG Community Main Event - Flexibility in Direct Payments

Join us on 23rd March from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM for a crucial discussion on the flexibility of personal budgets in the context of Direct Payments. This event brings together experts from both the direct payment system and local government support services, offering diverse perspectives on how personal budgets can be maximised to meet the needs of individuals receiving care.

We are thrilled to be joined by Pat Stack, a long-time direct payment recipient, who will share personal insights into the practical benefits and challenges of managing a flexible budget. Catherine Harper, from Medway Council, will provide a local government perspective, exploring the role of councils in ensuring that flexibility is built into direct payment systems and the impact this has on recipients.

Following their talks, Colin Slasberg, a former social worker turned passionate advocate for better social care, will join the panel to discuss how flexible personal budgets can drive real change in social care. Melanie Newberry, who has received a direct payment and benefited from the flexibility it provides, will also join the discussion, offering firsthand experience of how this system has enabled her to live more independently and according to her needs.

This is an invaluable opportunity to hear from individuals who have experienced the direct payment system from multiple perspectives, all advocating for more flexibility to ensure that personal budgets are not just a tool for care, but a pathway to greater independence and choice for those who need it.

Whether you're a recipient of direct payments, a social care professional, or someone interested in the future of personal budgets in social care, this event will provide insights, solutions, and inspiration for a more flexible, person-centred approach to care.