1. Providing Services for Older People in Challenging Times: 11th March 2011
Personalisation, choice and control for older people: observations on recent SCIE research findings
Sarah Carr, Senior Research Analyst,
Social Care Institute for Excellence

2. Presentation outline Introducing SCIE
A paper outlining some observations on recent research into personalisation for older people
Further resources to support policy and practice

3. The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
Established in 2001 by Department of Health
Based in London with a remit for England and Wales
Purpose to improve adult and children’s social care services through knowledge-based practice
Produces freely available research, practice guidance and learning materials:
Defined 5 types of knowledge in social care: research, practitioner, service user and carer, policy and organisations (including local authorities and the third sector)

4. Recent SCIE personalisation research

5. SCIE Report 40: Keeping personal budgets personal – Key findings for older people
Personal budgets have potential to offer older people more independence, choice and control
Clear information about options for managing and spending the budget, knowledgeable staff who do not make ageist assumptions about capacity, risk and support needs
Support with assessment and planning, including from user led organisations; creative, flexible support plans
Social work support during process, practitioner continuity, relationship-based working, time and access to peer support
Central role of carers – RAS to be carer neutral then adjusted in negotiation with carer
Even with managed accounts and directly commissioned services, every effort should be made to maximise choice and control for the older person
Survey of 5 local authorities over 6 months – 69 service users and carers, 40 practitioners and managers.
Treat people as individuals – don’t make assumptions based on age, disability or health condition. Assessment and planning based on strengths and aspirations as well as needs – including risk management and safeguarding. Information on what to do with the personal budget etc
Thinking beyond traditional care models – how social workers and CPNs can help. Exchanging ideas and mentoring from peers, role of ULOs. Support planning and brokerage. Time.
Carers were positive about personal budgets but wanted a carer neutral RAS, which was then adjusted in negotiation with the service user and carer in each case.
Commissioning and market shaping. Community capacity. People want to be socially active and involved in their communities. Ideas about pooling budgets and collectively purchasing support.

6. Remember...
“It is essential for councils to check that personal budgets are authentic – that they are actually resulting in greater choice and control for individuals”
(ADASS and LGA 2010)

7. www.scie.org.uk Other resources:
Personalisation At a glance briefings for social care and health stakeholders
Report 40: Keeping personal budgets personal
Report 36: Enabling risk, ensuring safety
Report 37: Personalisation, productivity and efficiency
Personalisation: a rough guide (2nd Edition, 2010)
Social Care TV films, e-learning and other tools
Good Practice Framework
Putting People First website

8. Thank you