Independent support planning & brokerage
What we did
East Sussex County Council has commissioned independent support planning and brokerage. In 2009 a series of multi-agency workshops were held to engage stakeholders from across adult social care and the independent sector in developing support planning and brokerage. A formal project started in 2010 to implement an interim mixed model of support planning and brokerage, pending further work on mapping existing brokerage and support planning sources and defining the service required. A tendering exercise was then was carried out, leading to a reduced number of providers and more care group specific options. Independent support planning and brokerage services are now available for those who want help in planning their care and support. These services are mainly provided by User Led Organisations.
Why we did it
Independent support planning and brokerage was seen as integral to the long-term success of SDS by fundamentally changing people's experience of social care. It was anticipated that support planning and brokerage services would widen choice for people using services leading to more creative care and support options, including making the most of a person's natural or community support systems, and would inform market development and outcome based commissioning strategies.
Outcome
The value of peer support and user led service models has been recognised by both practitioners and people using services as being beneficial in understanding the service user's needs, and sharing their own experience to help widen horizons and identify appropriate services. There is some emerging evidence that independent support planning increases the likelihood of alternative options being used, particularly for those on Direct Payments, including access to community based and informal support at lower cost. This could result in better value and quality outcomes for clients. Take up has been lower than expected and it has been found to be most effective in the following circumstances:
- For existing service users with stable, long-term care and support needs
- It appears to be a more appealing option for 'working age' adults with a physical disability or sensory impairment, and people with a learning disability
- Where a service user is able to build relationships with people fairly quickly and cope with short term interventions with new people
- Resolution of differences in opinion between the council and the service user over the level of need achieved prior to a referral to an independent support planner
- A clear separation between independent advocacy services and the independent support planning role
- Because it tends to take longer to develop a support plan with an independent provider, it is less suitable for straightforward cases where the support requirements are clear and can deliver outcomes readily agreed by both the practitioner and service user