Self-directed support has been developing since the 1960s - there is a long way still to go - here are some thoughts about lessons so far from around the world.

1. Self-Directed Support
international learning

2. Self-Directed Support
• It is not new - it has been
growing since the 1960s.
• It can be found in lots of
places around the world.
• It has been successful,
but slow to grow.
• It creates new
opportunities and new
risks.

3. Sami Helle at European
Parliament, November 2013
“We are obliged to
surrender to the will of
the strong. Big
companies, cities and
municipalities decide
what is best for us. This
is about power. Why do
I feel a lack of power
in my own life?”

4. Research
• Positive outcomes (often)
negative outcomes (never)
• Can cost less, can cost
more
• Tends to increase demand
• Design matters - there
are big differences
between different systems

6. English data 2003-2005, first In Control pilot

7. English data 2005-2007

14. Design Matters
1. Rights - secure foundations
2. Control - person focused
3. Clarity - transparent
4. Flexibility - high in options
5. Ease of use - low in burdens
6. Community - connectivity
7. Sustainability - evolving

15. 1. Rights

16. Support should not be a professional gift -
it should be an entitlement

17. The government
money fallacy
it can’t always be
government money:
where did government get it from?

18. 2. Control

19. The right person must have responsibility -
control as close to the person as possible

20. Needs are met - but met in ways that are
shaped by the person.

21. 3. Clarity

22. Systems ration resources in different ways
!
1.by responding to crises or requests
2.by creating waiting lists for places
3.by professional assessment
4.by public rules for entitlements
5.by negotiation

24. Clarity about money seems to improve how
people plan and how willing the system is to
provide flexibility. But it can be corrupted.

25. 4. Flexibility

26. Flexible funding helps promote greater
community involvement

28. 5. Easy to use

29. Resistance to innovation often leads to
increases in complexity.

30. • Big support plans
• Complex resource assessments
• Lengthy processes for review and decisions
• Intrusive bureaucracy and monitoring
• Multiple and conflicting funding streams
• Weak incentives to take control
• Regulations and inspections

31. Trust is critical.

32. 6. Community

33. Self-directed support seeks to move money
into community - in different ways.

34. This includes how people take control.

35. • Best support there is
• A flexible concept
• Facilitation is key
• Evolving
• NOT commissioned

36. 7. Sustainability

37. Self-directed support demands a new way
of managing - NOT the middle

38. Its about citizenship - NOT services

39. For more information:
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