Keith Achieves Citizenship

Author: Don Derrett

Keith has managed to put his bad experience of living in an unsuitable group home behind him. He now lives where he wants to live, spending his time in a way that makes sense to him, getting the right type and level of support and is living his dream of being one of his local football team’s most fanatical supporters.

Control – Keith makes all his own decisions but seeks guidance from his family when necessary on key decisions that affect his life. People that are in Keith’s life have learnt to listen to him and act on what he says is important to him and for him, particularly his passionate and fanatical support of his favourite football club.

Direction – Keith with the support of family and friends has created a personal plan, and he is well on his way to achieving most of his goals.

Money – Keith has had an individual budget for just over 4 years. Although this was half the money that was previously used to support Keith in a residential group home, it is sufficient to enable him to live his life in a way that makes sense to him.

Home – Keith lives in his own home that he part owns with a housing association.

Help – Keith is able to get the right level of support and any specialist support needed to meet his needs, achieve the outcomes in his support plan and to make sure he stays healthy in body and mind.

Community – Keith makes a positive contribution to the community by regularly supporting the development of personalisation in the UK. He presents evidence for debate and discussions to promote the roll out of individual budgets. Keith has recently been presented with an award for his work in this area.

A fair society is impossible if people are not treated as equal citizens. A fair society is impossible if people lack the means to achieve active citizenship. Instead a fair society measures itself by its achievement of citizenship for all.

The publisher is The Centre for Welfare Reform.

Keith Achieves Citizenship © Don Derrett 2011.

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