individual budgets

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.

This short report is an evidence overview of key pieces of UK research between 2007 and 2012, which focused on the implementation and uptake of personal budgets and direct payments for older people (including those with dementia) in England. The report was published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in January 2013. It is not a systematic research review or an exhaustive examination of published research on the topic.

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

Paper that describes the background to personalisation and then goes on to offer an analysis of the different policy options that will open up citizens, professionals, families, communities and policy-makers to its potential.

Discussion paper that describes a way forward for developing Resource Allocation Systems (RAS) in Scotland as an essential component of a sustainable system of self-directed support. It argues that, rather than fixate on one model or system, there needs to be a period of genuine innovation and exploration in partnership with disabled people and families.

Study with overall aim to provide macro-level financial and economic evidence on the potential costs, benefits and impacts of an increase in the uptake of SDS in Scotland.

Paper that shows how the personalisation agenda encourages innovation, offering the potential to create new markets around localised and individual needs, to focus fiscal resources directly and discretely, and to enable small groups of individuals to ‘positively disrupt’ a complex and opaque system.

It begins with a potted history of personalisation, and ends with five recommendations for the implementation of personalisation, whatever the sector, in a way that increases the availability and use of new, community­based approaches to support and inclusion.

Report that describes a ground-breaking initiative in the development of personalisation in adult social care. By working in partnership, Southwark Council has:

- Broken down a large block contract for 83 people into individual budgets
- Created Individual Service Funds (ISF) for more flexible services
- Begun creating better and more empowering services for those they serve
- Developed a more dynamic and respectful relationship between a service provider and commissioner

Report that looks at the future development of personalisation at a time of limited resources. It details two seminars held in November 2011, organised by SCIE with support and funding from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

The seminars brought together service users, carers and a select number of people involved in practice and policy development around personalisation in adult social care.

Report that looks at how far government and other organisations are making information about social care more easily available. It examines the challenges that organisations providing home care services face in responding to service users’ choices and the help that local authorities can give these organisations to meet such challenges.

It also reviews the available research evidence on how service users, carers and professionals balance the benefits of choice against the potential risks involved.