GIVING money directly to people to manage their own social care is the big topic at a major conference later this month.

Individual budgets and direct payments allow people to buy the social care or other services they need rather than having it provided by Reading Borough Council.

Event organizer Anna Fowler said: "Today's older people 'never had it so good' and are healthier, more active and living longer than generations who may have suffered deprivation due to war or poverty. Expectations for social care have, quite rightly, increased, but the challenge now is how to meet them."

The conference, hosted by Reading Voluntary Action's Stronger Together team, is on Tuesday March 24 from 10.30am-3pm at Risc in London Street. The keynote speech will be by Dr Martin Stevens from Kings College London, on how direct payment systems of social care are working nationally.

A wide range of organisations are invited, including day centres, church groups, housing associations and charities.

Entrance is free for anyone in a local community group, call 0118 958 4849.

Speakers on the day will include:

Simone Baker - Local Network Link for the Disabled Parents Network

Pam Champion - Direct Payments Project Manager, Kingsley Organisation

Barry Ruffell - Consultant trainer and advisor to the Independent Living Association

WHAT ARE DIRECT PAYMENTS?

Direct Payments provide money directly to users to acquire their own social care services rather than having them delivered by the council, and users subsequently act as employers. An example would be for a disabled person to employ a carer to cycle with his/her children to school.

Individual Budgets encompass more than just social care and allow users to buy goods and services from the public, private or voluntary and community sectors. An example of an Individual Budget would be for an older person to buy a freezer so that the family member preparing his or her meals would be able cut down on cooking time and spend more leisure time with their relatives.