Personalisation (Self-directed support)

A collection of resources on the topic of personalisation. It is one of IRISS's core themes.

Self-directed support

Audit that examines councils' progress in implementing the SDS strategy and their readiness for the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.

It focuses on councils because they have the lead role, working in partnership with users, carers, third and private sector providers, NHS boards and other organisations. It was carried out between December 2013 and February 2014.

Modelling the relationship between needs and costs: how accurate resource allocation can deliver personal budgets and personalisation

Resource allocation systems based upon measures of need are one widely adopted approach to estimating the cost of the individual service user's care package in a manner directly proportionate to individual need.

However, some recent studies have questioned the feasibility and utility of such systems, arguing that the relationship between needs and costs cannot be modelled with sufficient accuracy to provide a useful guide to individual allocation. In contrast, this paper presents three studies demonstrating that this is possible.

Draft self-directed support statutory guidance on care and support

Document that contains draft statutory guidance on the values, principles legal duties and powers associated with social care assessment, support planning and review. The guidance covers adults, children, young carers and adult carers. It has been developed by Scottish Government with contributions from a joint working group of key partners which included the Association of Directors of Social Work, Self Directed Support Scotland, Independent Living in Scotland, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland and the Carer’s Trust.

Housing and personalisation: points on practice

Briefing which reflects on the experience of housing support providers delivering services through personalised funding arrangements and consider what has been working well, as well as highlighting some issues that have been more challenging. Particular attention is paid to support planning and to the financial arrangements associated with direct payments and individual service funding.

How self-directed support is failing to deliver personal budgets and personalisation

Discussion paper on why the underpinning notion of self directed support seems to have failed in its ambitions. It also looks at how the concepts of personalisation and personal budgets associated with self-directed support may retain value if interpreted in an appropriate way, delivered through an appropriate strategy.

Follow-up evaluation of self-directed support test sites in Scotland

Follow-up evaluation that is built upon the initial evaluation of the self-directed support test sites which reported in September 2011.

This follow-on study sought to assess continued uptake in the test sites; to identify activities to further promote and increase awareness of self-directed support and identify system wide change within the test site local authorities.

Progressing personalisation: a review of personal budgets and direct payments for carers

Review that explores implementation of personalisation for carers, focusing specifically on personal budgets and direct payments in relation to support provided to carers. It reviews evidence on current implementation and identifies areas for further policy and practice development in view of proposed changes to the law in the draft Care and Support Bill.

It examines:

  • What personalisation should mean for carers
  • Assessment and eligibility
  • Resource allocation
  • Support planning and how personal budgets are spent