This report advocates a simple yet transformational approach to public services – self-directed services – which allocate people budgets so they can shape, with the advice of professionals and peers, the support they need. This participative approach delivers personalised, lasting solutions to people’s needs at lower cost than traditional, inflexible and top-down approaches, by mobilising the intelligence of thousands of service users to devise better solutions.
The self-directed services revolution, which began in social care with young disabled adults designing and commissioning their own packages of support, could transform public services used by millions of people, with budgets worth tens of billions of pounds. From older people to ex-offenders, maternity to youth services, mental health to long-term health conditions, self-directed services enable people to create solutions that work for them and as a result deliver better value for money for the taxpayer.
Self-directed services can be taken to scale safely while minimising fraud and risk. They can also be good for equity because they empower those people who are the least confident and able to get what they want from the current system. Self-directed services give people a real voice in shaping the service they want and the money to back it up. Previous approaches to public service reform have reorganised and rationalised public services. Self-directed services transform them.
Podcast
Listen to a podcast with two of the authors, Jamie Bartlett and Niamh Gallagher, here.
The self-directed services revolution, which began in social care with young disabled adults designing and commissioning their own packages of support, could transform public services used by millions of people, with budgets worth tens of billions of pounds. From older people to ex-offenders, maternity to youth services, mental health to long-term health conditions, self-directed services enable people to create solutions that work for them and as a result deliver better value for money for the taxpayer.
Self-directed services can be taken to scale safely while minimising fraud and risk. They can also be good for equity because they empower those people who are the least confident and able to get what they want from the current system. Self-directed services give people a real voice in shaping the service they want and the money to back it up. Previous approaches to public service reform have reorganised and rationalised public services. Self-directed services transform them.
Podcast
Listen to a podcast with two of the authors, Jamie Bartlett and Niamh Gallagher, here.
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Comments
Extreamly useful, and thankfully, broadly in line with the way Essex CC view SDS, and the case for total tranformation.
I agree with your view of the way SDS could work in rual areas, over the next few years, the socio/economic case for local people to form co-operatives in their areas, on the basis of meeting the needs of the 'cared for, and to give them a carers' job which will local and fit in with their own homcare demands. The example of this is locals advertising for ironing, odd jobs , housework and sitting services for me is anatual extension albeit with safegurds for both sides.
I think expansion of your thoughts on how to integrate other funding streams and using a personal budget for residential placements would have been the chery on the cake for me.
Paul Nunnen
Project Manager - Self-Directed Support