Satisfaction levels with Personalization and Self-directed Support (SDS)

What is it about?

Through personalisation and the process of self-directed support the social care system is intended to allow individuals to make real choices, and take control, with appropriate support whatever their level of need. In sum, these changes are intended to deliver long-term benefits to individuals and the system in terms of improved outcomes and more cost-effective use of resources. Understanding the experiences of service users of self-directed support and its impact on services is therefore important to all those concerned with providing social services. The matter also has particular relevance for Local Involvement Networks and other organisations responsible for delivering Healthwatch contracts in that it is intended to put the individual, their family and their community at its core. Respondents generally expressed high levels of satisfaction with the self-assessment process. Areas where respondents reported lowest levels of satisfaction included: - Finding out about self-directed support - The waiting time for assessments to take place - The provision of information prior to assessment before completion of the questionnaire - The ease of completing the questionnaire - Not seeing the completed questionnaire - The delay following completion of the questionnaire and provision of services The paper acknowledges that the survey response rate to this research is lower than anticipated and limits the extent to which specific conclusions can be drawn with confidence. That said, the findings appear to be broadly consistent with evidence from other surveys and therefore merit careful consideration. Following this research, a further qualitative study (SDS2) was conducted looking at specific ways in which personalization and self-directed support would be improved. It includes a detailed report on the action taken by the London Bourough of Richmond to implement its recommendations.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Self-directed support lies at the heart of personalization and is being rolled out by Councils across the United Kingdom. A key element in determining its effectiveness is the way in which the assessment process is carried out since it is the starting point for all that follows. It therefore needs to be done well: service users need to understand the process, their rights and entitlements.

Perspectives