Personal Budgets “Lessons Learned” Kevin Salter Assistant Director (Care) England

Valuing People People with learning disabilities are amongst the most vulnerable and socially excluded in our society. Very few have jobs, live in their own homes or have choice over who cares for them. This needs to change: people with learning disabilities must no longer be marginalised or excluded. 1996 act came about following a long campaign by people with disabilities, prior to this all services delivered on the basis of assessment and what was available. Direct payments allowed for purchasing existing services or for employing a ‘personal asisstant’ but seen by some as means tested/needs tested and not holistic.

Valuing People Objective 3 “To enable people with a learning disability to have as much choice and control as possible over their lives through advocacy and a person centred approach to planning the services that they need.” Sub objective 3.3 “Making direct payments available to all those people with a learning disability who request them and who meet the requirements of the scheme”

Getting your Personal Budget Assessment: comprising initial assessment, full assessment and carers assessment Financial & benefits assessment (FACS) Indicative Personal Budget Support Planning Panel for agreement of support plan and personal budget Brokerage Re assessment

Care Funding calculator Used by 125 Councils across England for residential and supported living arrangements Challenges in getting the level right so it is sufficient to meet needs Initially did not factor for behaviours that challenge Other authorities use a similar RAS Varying degrees of autonomy/flexibility between different models of RAS/interpretation by panel/Commissioners Presented savings by 2012 of £45 m across 51 councils

Implications of Personalisation for providers Demand-will this increase or change? Marketing & the shape of the social care market Finance & Administration Workforce Partnership working

How has it gone ..so far? ADASS research 2014- 78% of people 18-64 have a personal budget but only 24% took this as a direct payment Wide regional variation and amongst differing service user groups- mental health only 7% of eligible population Whilst 70% of budgets allocated to PB’s only 35% spent on direct payments- not able to tell in terms of service user groups Austerity-27 % decrease in real terms for adult social care budgets?

Positive Outcomes Evaluations Tool Survey 2014 All groups receiving a Direct payment reported a range of positive outcomes People with a learning disability less likely to report feeling more independent Less likely to report positive outcomes regarding paid work Less likely to report positive outcomes re self esteem. More likely to spend on care and support than other factors

Positive Outcomes Evaluation Tool Survey 2014 Continued Direct link to good process leading to good outcomes Being heard improved successful attainment of outcomes Many people with learning disability report that Councils make life difficult for them in getting a personal budget(direct payment)

In closing Personal budgets must be seen as more than just the money.. Its about control& Choice-person centred approaches Third sector organisations have a clear role in responding to need and shaping provision. Providers must be flexible/responsive/creative Cost aware Develop good marketing strategies Able to respond-quickly Work in real partnership with people who need our services and their families Sources: TSRC 2012 7 ADASS 2014