ADASS Personalisation survey

An Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) survey shows that in 2012/13 local authorities have continued to move forward apace with personalising their services and support for individuals "despite facing significant financial pressures," according to ADASS President Sandie Keene.

She added: "the overwhelming evidence from local authorities demonstrates that, overall, the substantial majority of social care departments are providing personalised social care services to well over two thirds of eligible individuals, although there is still further to go to make sure that personalisation becomes a reality for all.

"One of the biggest challenges still facing the continued expansion of personalisation is the development of a suitably diverse market to meet individual preferences," she said - Only 70 per cent of councils are reporting that there was a diverse and culturally sensitive market available to meet individual choices and needs.

On top of that Mrs Keene welcomed the fact that early findings of the survey show that the social care workforce is well-equipped to deliver personalisation and that accurate, reliable information is being made available to help individuals make informed choices about how their needs can be met.

Councils are stating that 76 per cent of all eligible adults received personalised services and support. Ninety-one of these (73 per cent of respondents) reported that over 70 per cent of eligible adults in their authorities received personalised services and support in 2012/13. Of these, 33 councils (26 per cent of respondents) said that more than 90 per cent of all eligible adults received personalised services and support.

Mrs Keene said the figures, "demonstrate the commitment our members and their colleagues have shown to the cause of ensuring that wherever possible individuals who come to social services are helped and supported to be in far greater control of the type of services they receive and who provides it."

Read the full statement on the ADASS website.