2. What is a Microboard?

3. Principles
Founded on personal relationships, acknowledging and respecting the person’s wishes
Due regard for the person’s comfort, safety and dignity
Individualised support
Respect, co-operation and collaboration
Based on need
Person centred services
Support staff focus on the person
A Microboard is a small, not for profit association set up by a close group of family members and friends, who get together to develop a support network with an individual person.

4. Person Centred Planning
A way of working with a person, to help make changes to his or her life
Involves everyone important to the person
The aim is to listen and learn
Commitment to ensuring a meaningful and fulfilling life
Identifies how a person wants to live, where they want their life to go and what needs to be done
Acknowledges peoples every changing hopes and dreams
Anyone can benefit

5. Advantages of PCP
Opportunity to say what is needed to improve quality of life
Individual action plan
Affords the person new opportunities and develops skills and abilities
Individual choice
Supporting the person
Innovative ways of meeting the persons desires and needs
Community involvement

6. Legislative framework The Carer’s and Direct Payments Act
An alternative way of meeting assessed need for Personal and Social Services
Legislative framework
The Carer’s and Direct Payments Act
(Northern Ireland) 2002

7. Aim
To increase independence by offering choice and control in respect of services required.
Principles
To promote independence
To offer choice
To work in partnership

8. Who can access Direct Payments?
A person assessed as needing personal social services
Willing and able to manage direct payments or have a mechanism to do so

9. The advantages of having a Microboard A Family perspective
Offers choice
Provides a flexible way to meet individual needs
PCP provides action plan for support
Quality of life – being part of the community
Shared responsibility
Living an ordinary life