Rescuing the personal budget strategy and personalisation

The strategy to deliver personalisation through Personal Budgets is not working. The claim that Personal Budgets are bringing about better outcomes is unfounded. The reality is that it is only people who have a Direct Payment who are experiencing better outcomes. People who have a 'Council managed' Personal Budget are not experiencing any change. The success of Direct Payments being attributed to Personal Budgets is therefore seriously misleading. The current plans to improve the situation will not work either. That is because they continue to be based on an incorrect analysis of the reasons why Assessment and Care Management has failed to operate in personalised ways. Neither will plans to resolve the situation by making Direct Payments the norm for work. The conditions that make them successful will not extend beyond a minority.

The strategy is on the rocks. However, it will be possible to rescue it, and deliver personalisation for all to the greatest extent that available resources will allow. Doing so will require a change in direction, with a move away from the current ideological basis for the strategy to one that is much more pragmatic.

This paper explores the above propositions. It would be great if people found the time and inclination to read it and share thoughts.