On 19^th July Southwark’s Cabinet agreed the following recommendations (subject to call-in):

That Cabinet agrees:

1. To reduce the council contribution to voluntary sector open access day services/lunch clubs by ceasing block contracting arrangements and funding eligible individuals through personal budgets;
2. Work intensively to embed the personal budget model for users of these services with eligible care and support needs by end August 2011 as an alternative means of income for organisations;
3. Launch an innovation fund, where organisations can bid for funding to support transformation and the development of hubs and encourage future financial self-sustainability;
4. Implement proposals to re-commission community support services for older people (information, advice, advocacy and befriending) from April 2012 by inviting bids against a revised service specification that supports the objectives of maintaining independence, health and wellbeing and effective personalised services.

Stage 1: Day Centres and Luncheon Clubs: 

The Next step is for the support planning to take place. The support plans will need to be agreed at panel – then those people who are FACs eligible will start to receive their personal budgets.

The process will take place at all day centres/luncheon clubs with the aim for  this to be completed by the end of August.

The planned order for completion is: 
BEGs & BEGs Somali (almost complete) 
Golden Oldies 
SAEO 
SVCC 
Cypriot Group 
Age Concern 
Goose Green.