The impact of individual budgets on the targeting of support: findings from a national evaluation of pilot projects in England

Abstract

Individual or personal budgets are part of a growing international trend to encourage greater choice and control over social care services at a time of financial austerity. The authors' evaluation of individual budgets found that levels of allocated resources reflected a range of factors, including informal or carer support and disability levels. Furthermore, individual budgets were found to be cost-neutral compared with conventional social care delivery.

Keywords:

• Care package
• individual budgets
• personalization
• social care costs

Acknowledgements

The views expressed are those of the authors' and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Health.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen Jones

Karen Jones is in PSSRU, University of Kent, UK.

Ann Netten

Ann Netten is in PSSRU, University of Kent, UK.

José-Luis Fernández

JoséLuis Fernández is in PSSRU, LSE, UK.

Martin Knapp

Martin Knapp is at LSE, UK.

David Challis

David Challis is in PSSRU, University of Kent, UK.

Caroline Glendinning

Caroline Glendinning is in SPRU, University of York, UK.

Sally Jacobs

Sally Jacobs is at the University of Manchester.

Jill Manthorpe

Jill Manthorpe is at King's College London.

Nicola Moran

Nicola Moran is in SPRU, University of York, UK.

Martin Stevens

Martin Stevens is in Hampshire Social Services Department, UK.

Mark Wilberforce

Mark Wilberforce is at the University of Manchester, UK.