Outcomes which are linked to policy goals are measured at the level of large groups of people. Examples of policy goals include increasing employment, reducing hospital or residential care, and improving health. However, when looking at success from the point of view of individual people and their families, it is more meaningful to look at personal goals. In 2009, a group of disabled people, family carers and people from eight councils have worked together to develop a new way to carry out reviews. This approach was termed ‘outcome-focused reviews’. The starting point was that reviews should focus on the results, or outcomes, experienced by disabled people, older people and their families. This guide explains what is meant by an outcome-focused review process, and how the tools were developed. It presents a template for an outcome-focused review form which councils can use or adapt to suit local needs, and includes guidance notes for people using the review form. It includes personal stories showing how councils taking part have used the outcome-focused review process in practice.
Outcomes which are linked to policy goals are measured at the level of large groups of people. Examples of policy goals include increasing employment, reducing hospital or residential care, and improving health. However, when looking at success from the point of view of individual people and their families, it is more meaningful to look at personal goals. In 2009, a group of disabled people, family carers and people from eight councils have worked together to develop a new way to carry out reviews. This approach was termed ‘outcome-focused reviews’. The starting point was that reviews should focus on the results, or outcomes, experienced by disabled people, older people and their families. This guide explains what is meant by an outcome-focused review process, and how the tools were developed. It presents a template for an outcome-focused review form which councils can use or adapt to suit local needs, and includes guidance notes for people using the review form. It includes personal stories showing how councils taking part have used the outcome-focused review process in practice.
Subject terms:
outcomes, personalisation, self-directed support, social services, case reviews, disabilities;
... price, and personalisation as a driver of strategic change. The paper includes brief case studies and details of sources of further information.
In the context of the recent government spending review settlement and developments in social care policy, this paper explores how the adult social care sector in England can sustain momentum in delivering personalised services, particularly through the extension of self-directed support. It discusses the Coalition Government's vision for adult social care, the evidence on whether personal budgets have so far proved to be a cost-effective way of delivering care and support, and current initiatives to reduce costs while achieving more personalised outcomes. It suggests that self-directed support should be seen as a core part of a wider transformation process that aims to promote independence, extend choice, and offer cost-effective solutions for people needing ongoing support. It also emphasises the importance of developing efficient operating systems and of streamlining the business processes associated with self-directed support. It looks at understanding costs at individual and strategic level, simplifying business processes, building community capacity, achieving better value for money for people who require ongoing support, shaping markets to offer personalised services at a fair price, and personalisation as a driver of strategic change. The paper includes brief case studies and details of sources of further information.
Subject terms:
management, personalisation, self-directed support, social policy, social care provision, adult social care, government policy;
... in use, including Working Together for change which aims to involve people using services and carers to develop and commission services; best practice in checking results; and the development of a personalisation outcome evaluation tool.
This paper considers emerging approaches to developing outcome-based performance measures within social care. It highlights and promotes sector-led developments in building an evidence base for the effectiveness of personal budgets that can be used to drive the future direction of local social care systems. The paper discusses the importance of measuring outcomes; common approaches currently in use, including Working Together for change which aims to involve people using services and carers to develop and commission services; best practice in checking results; and the development of a personalisation outcome evaluation tool.
Subject terms:
local authorities, outcomes, performance evaluation, performance management, personalisation, self-directed support, social care provision;