DH warns councils not to raid personalisation grant

The Department of Health today warned councils not to spend money designated for developing personalisation on meeting existing service pressures.

In guidance on the ring-fenced social care reform grant, the DH admitted that there “may be a temptation” for councils to use the grant, worth £520m from 2008-11, to meet current priorities.

The guidance says: “Failure to use the resources available to drive this transformation is not acceptable and the grant monies may have to be paid back if this happens.”

The reform grant is intended solely for councils to transform their adult social care services to become more personalised in line with the Putting People First strategy launched in December 2007.

The 2009-10 tranche, at £195m, is worth more than double the 2008-9 allocation of £85m.

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