HASCAS has applied for funding to undertake a project called "Direct Payments : Figuring it all out". We would welcome expressions of interest from local authorities in taking part in this project at no charge - Hampshire and Wigan are interested and we would like three more ideally from London, West Midlands and the North East.
We have passed the first stage of the assessment stage and now have to submit a more detailed proposal. We will know if we are successful in January 2009, and if we are the project will start in April 2009. We need an expression of interest at the moment
The work is essentially about:
The primary aim is to increase the uptake of Direct Payments/Individualised Budgets by service users with mental health problems. The DOH has indicated the priority it attaches to the development of wider use of service users purchasing their own care and thereby leading more fulfilled lives with greater social inclusion.
A very small proportion of service users have taken the opportunity to buy and manage their own care. There are two main reasons for this. First, local authorities are ambivalent about promoting Direct Payments due to concern that moving too far along this route could destabilise their commissioned services. Second, service users are worried about being able to manage the financial element of buying their care and coordinating its delivery.
This project will operate in five different geographical areas and work with the local authorities to develop a spreadsheet able to demonstrate the effects of service users switching their care arrangements on the commissioned services, and illustrating the opportunity costs such effects present. The spreadsheet will include elements such as the services available, income, cost of provision and units of measurement (eg - per hour, per day, per service user etc).
The aim is also to improve the social inclusion of service users by increasing their self confidence through a training package about managing their money
We feel this approach is innovative as it directly addresses the two blockages to the take up of Direct Payments/Individualised Budgets described above. HASCAS will work closely with five L/As to develop and operate the management accountant costing spreadsheet and through this work disseminate the findings. In essence the five sites will be used as a proxy for five certain types of area, and through dissemination of the framework the model can be further refined and piloted in other areas.
We will also work in each area with groups of service users to develop a training programme and pack to provide them with the skills and confidence they require to successfully buy and manage their own care
For more information contact:
Ian Allured
Tel:
0207 307 2892
Email: Click here