1. Research about Support Planning We are doing research in 5 different places in England. We are trying to find out how people decide about their budget, and who helps them. Val Williams, Sue Porter and Steve Strong

2. People with learning difficulties We are meeting with people with learning difficulties who have a personal budget. They are telling us about what works best for them, and what the problems are. We’d like to know what you think!

3. A personal budget is confusing People say they don’t understand personal budgets. They do not know what a ‘support plan’ is. Some people don’t know that they can decide on things in their own support plan. What do you think?

4. Someone you can trust People say they want someone they know well, and they can trust. They say it doesn’t matter so much who that person is. They like people who understand them, to help with their decisions. What do you think?

5. These are the people who have helped with support planning Social workers Someone from a disabled people’s organisation A personal assistant (PA)

6. Who else helps? An advocate People First Someone at the day centre Who helps you decide about your support?

7. What helps? It helped when someone went to see the thing they were deciding about. It also helped to have easy information about things they could do. Do you get good information about personal budgets?

8. We know all these things are ‘good practice’ But… it’s still not happening! It is often parents who make all the decisions. Things are too complicated. It is hard to understand the choices you have. What are your ideas to make things better?

9. To have your say…. Get Geoff or Sally to write it all down! Or email: Sue.porter@bristol.ac.uk Val.williams@bristol.ac.uk