AQW 33790/22-27


Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 17/10/2025
Answered On Date: 13/11/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any assistance offered to families who receive Self-Directed Support to ensure they can find appropriate support.


Answer:
Children’s Community Services:
Self-directed support is offered to families following an assessment of need and presentation at the Trust Allocation and Resource Panel. Within this assessment, when support is being identified by a social worker, advice and guidance is given to parents in relation to types of support that may be beneficial or appropriate for their family. This can include, for example, local service provision including after schools, day short breaks, clubs and/or activities for the child/young person.
If the Allocation and Resource Panel approve an assessment of need for use of a personal assistant, the family will need to identify a person within their network of support – this can be family, friends or within their professional network. Social Workers do provide advice in this regard; however, the ethos of Self-Directed Support is about giving people control of the support they receive and empowering families to have more autonomy within their lives.
Adult, Community, Older People’s Services & Allied Health Professionals; Mental Health, Intellectual Disability & Psychological Services:
Self-Directed Support is available to people who have been assessed as needing social care support.  It offers choice, control and flexibility to individuals and families so that they can:
Tailor a package of support that suits their lifestyle.
Have an informed choice about how their support is provided.
Control their personal budget.
As part of the process of Care and Support Planning, a person’s social worker or key worker will work with them to identify the best way for them to receive their care.  This can include Trust arranged services, Direct Payments or a combination of options.