CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has launched its Charter for Personalisation of Adult Social Care.

This is part of the council’s drive to put control in the hands of the people who receive care services and tailor services to suit them.

The council will achieve this by reforming care and support provided to older people, disabled adults, their families and carers.

Launched recently at the Cheshire West and Chester LINk (Local Involvement Network) event, the Charter aims to make personalisation part of people’s lives. The council will support people to decide for themselves what is best.

Councillor Brenda Dowding, Executive Member for Adult and Health Services, said: “If we are truly to enable our citizens to make choices, then the first step is to involve them in the council’s policy development processes. The Personalisation Charter, which was drawn up in collaboration with user groups, sits at the centre of our strategic and business frameworks.”

Mark Palethorpe, Director of Adult Social Care and Health, added: “We are fully committed to transforming our offer to local citizens and will work in collaboration to make sure this reflects individual needs.”

LINk has recently produced a short film explaining how personal budgets work. The film, which can be viewed on the LINk website, was produced with the help of the council, Dial House Disability Rights Centre, Muir Housing Association and the Cheshire Centre for Independent Living.

The film explains what personalisation is and how to get a personal budget, and features a young local man who is making good use of his budget.

For more information about the Charter visit www.Cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/adultsocialcare.