1. Questions and answers: personal budgets
Jill Manthorpe
Social Care Workforce Research Unit,
King’s College London
24/11/2018

2. What is the difference between
Individual budget
Personal budget
Self directed support
Consumer directed support ?
Answer
Not much
Use personal budgets
Remember the means test & charging
Remember eligibility threshold
Remember it is to meet social care needs
24/11/2018

3. What’s the link to Social Security benefits eg Attendance Allowance ?
Answer
A lot
AA is not means tested
You can spend it how you like or not at all
But things may change
24/11/2018

4. Why is Hackney making changes?
The government has told it to (and given a bit of money to help)
Councils have agreed to do it – to get almost all people on Personal Budgets in the next 3 years
It knows the budget pressures
24/11/2018

5. Why is this happening nationally?
Government & public approves of choice
It may save money or slow down rise
Citizen dissatisfaction with current services
24/11/2018

6. Remind me- what were the problems
My home care workers keep changing
The day centre closes too early
My mum wants to help make the tea
My dad wants to go to the park
I can’t get help on a Sunday
If I complain it does no good
24/11/2018

7. So who is going to benefit?
Some people may get better support in the way that they want it, when and where
Some people may find that they get more money to spend (equalities) or get better value
Some people will stay at home longer and they & carers will feel more in control
Managing the money is not hard or an organisation may do the paperwork but person/carer will be in charge
24/11/2018

8. But surely there will be losers?
Possibly people with substantial services that include £ for leisure, social activities etc
Council staff if they are out of a job
Private workers who are undercut by informal helpers
People using subsidised/bulk bought services
Voluntary sector staff whose services become too expensive
24/11/2018

9. What else is on the cards?
Far less council provided services
Different payments to the organisers of care packages (travel agents don’t always save you money)
Problems with safety nets
Personal budgets in health
24/11/2018

10. But what is left for the council to do?
Decide on the money (in total) and for individuals
Decide how to assess, monitor and to review
Offer information and advice – or get others to do this
Make the money add up
Pump-prime in some activities
Work on reducing residential care
New roles in public health
24/11/2018

11. Enough of answers, here are questions to discuss
Will more older people stay at home?
Will cash stay or will it turn into vouchers?
How will we know if this is a disaster?
Who will do anything about losers?
Can the Council keep £ for prevention?
Will some services go & be missed?
What is the scope for democracy?
24/11/2018