Self Directed Support

What is a Personal Budget?

A Personal Budget is an amount of money that comes from your local social services department and is allocated to you to meet your social care needs. You will receive a Personal Budget if you have been assessed as having social care needs that your local authority will fund. In some areas the money may be offered as part of the mental health services you receive.

Examples of what some people use their Personal Budget for:

help with cooking, shopping and cleaning

having short breaks or a holiday

leisure activities, e.g. an art class or a walking group

having driving lessons

buying specialist equipment to make life easier for you

buying computer equipment

membership of a gym or sports club

buying a dog for companionship

finding a job or learning new skills

having an aromatherapy massage or other alternative therapy

attending relaxation or yoga classes.

You can use your Personal Budget to meet your social care needs in many different ways according to what you think is best for you, as long as it is approved by your local authority and is safe, legal and healthy. Personal Budgets are a way for you to be in control of the support you get from social services: you will know how much money you have available, and you can have choice and control over how it is spent.

Downloadable Forms

Guide to SDS(PDF)

Further information

Mind guide to personal budgets