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

Abstract

Over the past five years, social care has been experiencing a period of change described as 'transformational'. It has largely been based on a model initiated by the organisation 'In Control' (Poll et al., 2006), variously called 'personalisation', 'personal budgets' and 'self directed support'. The drive to create personalised services through self directed support and personal budgets was implemented before the model was fully tested. Indeed, its implementation was announced before completion of a national evaluation set up by the Government. One advantage of such speedy, widespread implementation is that we are now beginning to have substantial evidence regarding its efficacy. At the same time, we are the on the cusp of new legislation likely to shape social care for the foreseeable future. It is essential that legislation takes on board what the evidence says about this model – its strengths and weaknesses. The following discussion shows why the underpinning notion of self directed support seems to have failed in its ambitions. However, the concepts of personalisation and personal budgets associated with it may retain value if interpreted in an appropriate way, delivered through an appropriate strategy. Then even so long as resources fall short of needs, they are likely to ensure the best possible outcomes for service users are secured. If and when adequate levels of funding are also provided, there may be the real prospect of enabling all to live their lives on the same terms as others who do not need social care support.