Support Brokers act as independent facilitators working alongside people, supporting them to plan to live the life of their choice. They work directly for the person; supporting them to stay in control, to understand and explore a whole range of opportunities and to confidently take action to achieve their desired outcomes. As Support Brokers, our ultimate aim is to see people taking full control of their own lives.
At Imagineer, we believe that each person should be in the driving seat of their own life.
We believe that everyone has a voice, and the ability to communicate their needs, wishes and preferences.
We believe that everyone has a dream and a purpose.
We believe everyone to be a citizen, part of their local community and able to be involved.
Support Brokerage originated in Canada in the 1970s when a group of families approached their local authority to request a greater level of input and control over planning the support their children needed.
They requested to be given control over the funding that the local authority had for building and delivering a service to their children.
These families asked for the opportunity for a better life and to be given the chance to consider how to use the funding in a different way to achieve this in the heart of their communities.
Support Brokerage came into existence as a family-led, community-based initiative.
It has continued to evolve since the 1970s through numerous campaigning bodies, guidance documents and pilot projects; and is now recognised as a crucial component of Self-Directed Support.
Listed below are some of the functions of a Support Broker:
Support Brokerage may be provided by one or a combination of the above methods.
Support Brokers are accountable to the people they work for, providing assistance as each person requires, from the range of functions that fall within the scope of what a Support Broker can do (see above).
Support Brokers do not:
The social care and health system cannot impose a requirement on Support Brokers to report back to other professionals, such as care managers; without the express consent of the person they are working alongside.
Support Brokerage doesn’t cover the continued assistance some people require to ensure the ongoing implementation of their Support Plan. Where ongoing support is required, Brokerage Management can help make sure the vision set out in a person’s Support Plan is continually managed and worked towards.
The Support Brokerage Network provides a support structure for those delivering Support Brokerage as a set of functions or as a designated role.
Here is a video story about the difference Support Brokerage has made to a lady called Alison.
If you choose Imagineer and the Support Brokerage Network to provide Independent Support Brokerage, we will first spend time with you discussing what you are looking to achieve and the input that you would like from the team at Imagineer. We will then write this up into a Working Party Agreement which is an informal document that sets out expectations of our involvement and anyone else involved with your plan, the timeframes and costs.
We will utilise all our knowledge, skills and connections to support you to move forward.
The cost of Support Brokerage is determined by the level of work involved. Each person’s circumstances are different and we start with a conversation to learn more about your circumstances and where you would value our support.
There is a cost for all Support Brokerage work carried out by Imagineer.
This can be funded as; part of a persons overall support plan costs, through funding or the person may cover this cost themselves.
As part of our initial conversation with you, we will explore if any funding options are available.
Telephone: 07572 322200
Email: info@imagineer.org.uk
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