‘Broker for services idea must be tested’

Government plans to provide service users with a broker to help them choose services require more testing, the Commission for Social Care Inspection has said.

In a report this week, the CSCI says there are many unanswered questions about the role, which the government called for in the adult green paper and the health and social care white paper.

Brokerage will be tested as part of the individual budget pilots, but the CSCI wants more widespread trials.

It says brokerage, along with direct payments and individual budgets, could ensure services are more tailored to people’s needs, but questions remain over who will perform the role and how it will be funded and regulated. For example, the CSCI says council social workers would face a conflict of interest in providing brokerage while also having to keep services within budget.