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David Williams outlines plans to the meeting at Clacton leisure centre.

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ESSEX'S social care sector is set for its biggest change in 50 years.

Members of the county counci''s adults, health and community wellbeing de-partment visited Clacton leisure centre on Wednesday to discuss plans for the new self-directed support scheme with the public.

This is a new way of giving benefits to residents with critical or substantial needs, such as learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

About 30,000 people currently receive such funds throughout the county.

Currently, payments are governed by the council and are used for specific purposes, like home help for personal care such as bathing.

Under new proposals, the recipient would have much greater control over how to spend their money.

David Williams, adults, health and community wellbeing officer, said: "It's about giving people choice and putting the service user in the driving seat.

"The priority is on finding out what is most important to that particular person.

"We've been running a pilot throughout the county since April 2006 and have had some very positive responses."

He added: "It's the single biggest change in the social care sector for 50 years and is supported by Government policy."

Mr Williams said that having control over finances can be significant for the individual, even if it just means small details of life are changed, like the times a personal assistant visits each day.

If the consultation period proves to be successful, the scheme will start in September, but only with new service users to begin with.

3:33pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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