Summarises the findings of a study on approaches to supporting physically disabled young adults to achieve their preferred levels of control over care and support arrangements. The study took place between July 2012 and January 2014 and involved semi-structured interviews with young adults, parents and social care professionals. It examined physically disabled young adults experiences of managing their care and support arrangements and explored how they can be better supported. Key findings and practice implications are included. While welcoming the opportunities afforded by personalised approaches within adult social care, almost all the young adults described feeling daunted by the associated responsibilities, with managing personal assistants/carers consistently identified as the most difficult aspect of having a Direct Payment. Young adults found information from statutory services was typically targeted at other audiences, for example, older people and only a minority believed transition planning/support services had played a significant role in preparing them for taking on a Personal Budget. Social workers with more experience of working with young adults identified specific issues that need to be accommodated including: young adults’ relative lack of life skills and experience; young adults’ preferences regarding parental involvement; and addressing parents’ support needs.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Summarises the findings of a study on approaches to supporting physically disabled young adults to achieve their preferred levels of control over care and support arrangements. The study took place between July 2012 and January 2014 and involved semi-structured interviews with young adults, parents and social care professionals. It examined physically disabled young adults experiences of managing their care and support arrangements and explored how they can be better supported. Key findings and practice implications are included. While welcoming the opportunities afforded by personalised approaches within adult social care, almost all the young adults described feeling daunted by the associated responsibilities, with managing personal assistants/carers consistently identified as the most difficult aspect of having a Direct Payment. Young adults found information from statutory services was typically targeted at other audiences, for example, older people and only a minority believed transition planning/support services had played a significant role in preparing them for taking on a Personal Budget. Social workers with more experience of working with young adults identified specific issues that need to be accommodated including: young adults’ relative lack of life skills and experience; young adults’ preferences regarding parental involvement; and addressing parents’ support needs.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
young adults, disabilities, physical disabilities, choice, self-directed support, direct payments, personal budgets;
This briefing examines the implications of the personalisation agenda for occupational therapists. Personalisation for occupational therapists in social care means: understanding and embracing the social model of disability; providing choice, control and a person-centred approach to assessment/review and delivery of support and services. A number of brief case studies illustrate the ways in which occupational therapists can support personalisation.
This briefing examines the implications of the personalisation agenda for occupational therapists. Personalisation for occupational therapists in social care means: understanding and embracing the social model of disability; providing choice, control and a person-centred approach to assessment/review and delivery of support and services. A number of brief case studies illustrate the ways in which occupational therapists can support personalisation.
Subject terms:
occupational therapists, personalisation, physical disabilities, self-assessment, self-directed support, social care staff, direct payments, disabilities;
Essex County Council (ECC) has commissioned a three year study to investigate the impact of personal budgets taken as cash payments by older and disabled people and their families. This paper reflects on some of the issues raised through face-to-face interviews, conducted between November 2009 and January 2010, with 46 older and/or disabled people who were receiving cash payments and/or interviews with their relatives. In addition four interviews were conducted with older service users whose personal budgets were being managed by the council. The majority had only been receiving cash payments for a couple of months at the time of interview. Generally service users reported positive outcomes. The predictors of take-up of self-managed budgets appeared to be the confidence of service users, based on their own sense of rights, their skills and support available from close relatives and wider social networks. For older service users and those with learning disabilities family members often played a central role in making the initial decision about whether to opt for cash payments. Findings suggested that frontline staff may be making implicit assumptions about which service users are capable of managing cash payments which may influence what choices, if any, are offered. A lack of clarity was found about what is meant by ‘choice and control’ leading to open interpretation by individual frontline staff. The importance of ensuring frontline staff are clear about choice and control and confident in explaining the principles underpinning self-directed support is stressed.
Essex County Council (ECC) has commissioned a three year study to investigate the impact of personal budgets taken as cash payments by older and disabled people and their families. This paper reflects on some of the issues raised through face-to-face interviews, conducted between November 2009 and January 2010, with 46 older and/or disabled people who were receiving cash payments and/or interviews with their relatives. In addition four interviews were conducted with older service users whose personal budgets were being managed by the council. The majority had only been receiving cash payments for a couple of months at the time of interview. Generally service users reported positive outcomes. The predictors of take-up of self-managed budgets appeared to be the confidence of service users, based on their own sense of rights, their skills and support available from close relatives and wider social networks. For older service users and those with learning disabilities family members often played a central role in making the initial decision about whether to opt for cash payments. Findings suggested that frontline staff may be making implicit assumptions about which service users are capable of managing cash payments which may influence what choices, if any, are offered. A lack of clarity was found about what is meant by ‘choice and control’ leading to open interpretation by individual frontline staff. The importance of ensuring frontline staff are clear about choice and control and confident in explaining the principles underpinning self-directed support is stressed.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, older people, personalisation, physical disabilities, self-directed support, service users, social care provision, user views, adult social care, choice, communication, direct payments, disabilities, families;
British Journal of Social Work, 40(1), January 2010, pp.188-206.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
This paper provides empirical evidence from original research, which investigated the impact on the support relationship of the direct employment of workers, by direct payment users. The study used a grounded theory approach, with questionnaires to measure job satisfaction and stress, and in-depth interviews with respondents. It explored and compared the experiences of eight direct payment relationships with eight traditional service delivery homecare relationships. The research reveals the importance of the concept of power in helping us to understand the effect of direct employment and, based on this research, makes some suggestions for policy and practice.
This paper provides empirical evidence from original research, which investigated the impact on the support relationship of the direct employment of workers, by direct payment users. The study used a grounded theory approach, with questionnaires to measure job satisfaction and stress, and in-depth interviews with respondents. It explored and compared the experiences of eight direct payment relationships with eight traditional service delivery homecare relationships. The research reveals the importance of the concept of power in helping us to understand the effect of direct employment and, based on this research, makes some suggestions for policy and practice.
Subject terms:
home care, interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, personalisation, physical disabilities, self-directed support, stress, staff-user relationships, adults, care workers, conditions of employment, direct payments, disabilities, empowerment, friendship;