Support Plan is the name for the plan that shows how someone’s Individual Budget will be spent. In order for the care manager to agree the release of money for the Budget, they must be able to see and agree a plan that meets clear criteria. Support Plans can be written in different ways. They may be short or long – with pictures or just text. The person can write it themselves or have someone else write it for them. The local authority will need to make sure that the plan answers these seven questions:
- What is important to you?.
- What do you want to change or achieve?
- How will you be supported?
- How will you use your individual budget? / How will you spend your individual budget?
- How will your support be managed?
- How will you stay in control of your life?
- What are you going to do to make this plan happen (action plan)?
You may already have a Person Centred Plan/ Essential Lifestyle Plan about the whole of your life. You can use this information to help you make a support plan.
Your support plan must be shown to the local authority to be agreed by a care manager. The support plan must reflect the ‘indicative budget’ you have been given through completing the self assessment questionnaire. There are lots of people who can help you make your plan.
