Developing Peer Support in Sheffield
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
The PFG are proud to be supporting people in Sheffield to develop a Peer Support Model. The People's Parliment in Sheffield have been discussing how Local Authorities have been given less money by central governement and that one of the ways that they are trying to save money is by cutting services to disabled people as well as funding to disabled people's organisations and service providers.
These changes are happening at a time when Self Directed Support continues to be rolled out for all those eligible for care and support. The introduction of personalisation at a time of cuts in spending is creating another level of complexity and challenges for disabled people and their supporters. People are affected by a range of issues including:
- getting an assessment or reassessment of needs
- having support plans agreed in good time
- challenging panel decisions if people feel that support plans aren't meeting needs
- introducing or increasing charges for services
- grants for services being cut or ended
- changes in benefits including housing benefit
- changes in funding streams such as Supporting People, ILF etc
- changes to advice, information, advocacy and legal support
- changing or putting alternative day services in place
- giving a personal budget which is insufficient to cover the costs of meeting assessed needs
- transitions in funding for care packages, for example from the council to the NHS
- overcoming bureaucracy and the complexity of the system
When people are affected by changes or issues such as those listed above there may be benefits in forming an alliance, forum or coalition where disabled people and their supporters could come together to provide self help and peer support.
SUFA are seeking views and comments on how a peer support group could be established. They are inviting people and organisations interested in supporting the development of a group to a meeting on the 28th September at SUFA's offices at 6.30pm, Sorby House, Burngreave. If you are interested or would like to share views please contact SUFA on 01142 727723.
