Warwickshire News Mine

The aim of the event on Tuesday 24 March was to progress Warwickshire’s ‘Putting People First’ initiative to give those in need of social care - including older people and those with disabilities - much more power over their lives. Putting People First in Warwickshire will give people the choice and control to commission their own care and support.

Organised by Warwickshire County Council and hosted by Simon Warren, Chief Executive of Rugby Borough Council, the conference brought together the Borough Council, the County Council’s Adult, Health and Community Services Directorate, local health agencies, carers and more than 30 people representing service users.

Over the next few years everyone in Warwickshire, who is eligible for adult social care support, will have greater control over their own care and support. For instance, instead of local authorities buying services on behalf of an individual, that person will be offered their own budget and can direct how it is spent, allowing the care package to be tailored to their needs.

This will increase the opportunity for independent living for all adults in the county. Among those affected will be older people and people who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, impaired vision or hearing.

Dr Graeme Betts, Strategic Director of Adult, Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The success of Putting People First is all about engagement with customers, staff and agencies who deliver to local communities.

"We want to build on existing partnerships between public sector bodies, carers and users to ensure all services are accessible and contribute to a better quality of life.”

Simon Warren, Chief Executive of Rugby Borough Council, said: “All of Warwickshire’s services must work together to find ways of providing the care and support that is right for each individual that we serve. The Putting People First conference was an important first step in coming up with new, customer-focused services and I am pleased to have been able to contribute.”

Putting People First in Warwickshire is headed up by Dame Yve Buckland who has chaired a county-wide taskforce to look at how services might be delivered differently and most importantly, brought together to meet the needs that exist in the community.

Putting People First in Warwickshire was launched last year by Dame Yve Buckland and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK.

Regional Putting People First conferences are taking place across the county to engage with all partners at a local level.

Link to WCC