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Balancing Control with personal responsibility
Jan’s independent Journey
Balancing Control with personal responsibility This talk should highlight that from
an early age I have been encouraged to be independent and live a full and active life
In short giving me a strong basis for living on my own and employing my own personal assistants
Balancing controlwith responsibility
Balancing Control with personal responsibility My journey starts with my parents When my parents discovered I had
cerebral palsy they chose to move to the Midlands where they felt there were more opportunities for me
Idyllic childhood; growing up on a farm
Parents didn’t molly coddle me Gave me every opportunity in life
Balancing Control with personal responsibility Attended a local day school Boarding school in Devon As education ended I came back
home to my parents They did everything to ensure I led a
full and interesting life
Balancing Control with personal responsibility Parents considered the time where
they could no longer support me I experienced respite in a residential
setting which appalled me I did ask my parents to put me in to a
home to get it over and done with I’m glad they didn’t as I wouldn’t be
where I am today Decisions had to be made in 1984 as
Mum became unwell
Balancing Control with personal responsibility We looked at a new hostel in
Kidderminster Their philosophy was very different and
residents were encouraged to take control After trying it out, I moved in in
September 1985 I made all decisions about how I wanted to
live and took responsibility which stood me in great stead for the future
Whilst here; I first explored ILF and having personal assistants
Balancing Control with personal responsibility After gaining the required funding
and finding accommodation I became truly independent in
February 1990 My personal assistants were there for
me alone and not other residents Jack of all trades master of none
Balancing Control with personal responsibility I now employ PA’s from 7:30am until 11pm With ILF they were classed as self
employed As I took direct payments my
responsibilities changed to becoming an employer
Whichever way; I feel I have the control whilst ensuring I am responsible for my personal assistants.
I dissolve some of the control to an accountant and use the support service as and when I need to
Balancing Control with personal responsibility How I feel responsible for my personal
assistants I know I have full control over how, when
and where things are done I also know I have a responsibility to be a
good employer and give good working conditions
I also know it is my responsibility to keep myself safe and use good recruitment practice as many would view me as at risk or vulnerable
Balancing Control with personal responsibility My journey has been fulfilled from day
one by; having a very different experience to some in my position
Having control means I can be responsible and embrace responsibility
I wouldn’t change how I do things I feel I live like an able bodied person I would hope that more people are
encouraged and supported to take control – responsibility is good!
Balancing Control with personal responsibility
Balancing Control with personal responsibility
Hope you have lots of Questions
?
Balancing Control with personal responsibility
Discussion
Informed decision making :- How do we enable people to take control whilst balancing responsibilities?
What’s working well? What can we change?
Balancing Control with personal responsibility
Discussion
‘if you needed care, how would you go about getting this care, what sort of support would you require, and how much responsibility for your care package would you want to take on?’