Geng the support you need
Understanding
pooled budgets
What are pooled budgets?
If you receive a direct payment to meet your social care needs, or are
funding your own social care, you can share resources, skills, ideas and
funding with other people. This is known as pooling.
For example, you might share the cost of transport to go out and about,
share the cost of a holiday or some equipment, share the cost of an
acvity you all enjoy, employ someone to support your group or even
start a business.
What are the advantages of pooled budgets?
You can save money by sharing the cost of acvies, negoang
a beer rate for a group or sharing the cost of someone to
support you.
You can share ideas and skills.
You can stay in touch with or meet new people with similar
interests and hobbies.
You can try new acvies.
FAST
FACTS
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What types of pooling are there?
Casual pooling
This is when people share resources on an informal basis. For example, you and a
friend may decide to employ one personal assistant (PA) to support you both. Your
contract/s with the PA will need to reflect this arrangement. Find out more about
employing a personal assistant in SILC Fast Fact 5 (employing a personal assistant).
Regular pooling
This is when a group of people meet regularly to do acvies together, sharing the
cost of the acvity and/or transport, and/or pay care agencies or PAs to support the
group. You’ll need to decide who takes responsibility for the arrangements and
what you’re going to do if things change, for example, if one of the group is away or
wants to leave. SILC can support you with this.
Starng a business
This is when a group decides to make and sell things, pooling their budgets to fund
a care agency or PA to support them with this. In order to do this, you’ll need to set
up a limited company. SILC can support you with this.
How do I start pooling?
If you’re using a direct payment you should speak to your care praconer before
pooling your budget. You’ll need to check that the things you want to spend your
budget on are covered in your support plan and meet your assessed eligible needs.
If you’re funding your own care, it’s up to you how you spend your money.
If you need any more informaon about how you can pool your budget or use direct
payments to meet your care and support needs, please contact the SILC office.
SILC is a voluntary organisaon run by and for disabled people. To find out
more about us, call 01483 458 111, text 07919 418 099, email
[email protected] or look on our website www.SurreyILC.org.uk
Surrey Independent Living Council
Charity Registraon No. 1146482 VAT Registraon No. 733 3702 52
A company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales
Company No. 7877608 Registered Office Astolat, Coniers Way, Burpham, Guildford, GU4 7HL