Changes to a support budget
Once you have a support budget in place, it is not likely to stay the same forever.
People’s needs change, and there may be times when your budget goes up or down.
This article explains how your support budget may change, and where you can get help if you do not agree with the change.
When a support budget may change
Once you have a support plan, your council should review this on a regular basis to make sure it is working well.
Some councils do reviews every six months, some do reviews every year. Sometimes it is hard to get a regular review of your support because social work services are very stretched.
Find out more about reviews in the article: Reviewing your support
Your budget may change after a review. It might go up if you need more support. It might go down if you need less support.
Your council should not change your budget without discussing it with you first.
If you have not been able to spend all your budget, your council should not use this as a reason to reduce your budget in future.
Any changes to your budget should be based on a review of your support.
Where to get help if your budget changes
If you do not agree with a decision about your budget, there are organisations who can help you speak with your council.
These types of organisation can help you understand more about the decision and challenge the decision if you want to.
Find your local Independent Support Organisation using the Find Help search tool.
Find your local Advocacy Service here.
Many people get the support they need to deal with any changes to their budget.
But we know that some common issues come up for people. Here is what do to if any of these things happen to you.
My council told me my budget is being cut
Your council should not change your budget without discussing it with you first.
Any changes to your budget should only come after a review where you discuss your support and whether your current support is meeting your needs.
It can be helpful to speak to an Independent Support Organisation or Advocacy Service for help if you feel your budget has been reduced too much.
Find your local Independent Support Organisation using the Find Help search tool.
Find your local Advocacy Service here.
The SDS Standards give guidance to local councils to tell them what they should do when it comes to arranging social care support (Self-directed Support).
These SDS Standards are not laws, but all councils have signed up to them. Councils should work to these standards.
When it comes to information about your support budget, here is what the Standards say:
- All decisions that affect your choices, support, and personal budget should be recorded and shared with you.
- You should have maximum flexibility to use your budget in the way that you choose to achieve the outcomes you have agreed.
- The way your council decides who gets what in their budget should be transparent and fair, for everyone.
- You and the people who support you should have as much involvement as you wish, and as much help as you need through the budget process.
- You also have the right to choose not to be involved in discussions about your budget, if you don’t want to.
- Your council should make it easy for you to see and understand how your budget has been calculated.
- You should be involved in decisions about what you can and cannot spend your budget on.
- Your budget will be reviewed as part of the process of reviewing your support. This will make sure you are using it to meet your outcomes and to find out if your budget needs to go up or down.
You can find the full SDS Standards here.