DISABLED people in Bury could be given much greater control over the care they receive.

Social services bosses want to introduce a system of direct payments to those assessed as eligible for care.

Residents would be able to pick and choose what services to buy and from whom, rather than receiving them direct from the council.

Officers say this ties in with "community care" principles of freedom and independence.

Questionnaires have already been sent out to users to see how many might take up a direct payments scheme, and their responses could be crucial in deciding if a pilot project goes ahead.

However, such a scheme may be many months off. Officers want to carry out a complete review of services to people with physical disabilities which would involve a range of agencies, including services for children and the mentally ill, along with users themselves.

Members welcomed the idea at Monday's social services committee.

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