One of the most read pieces on this blog was some research which found that Resource Allocation Systems (RASs) - which are often used to calculate 'personal budgets' in social care planning - are often not very transparent. Since then, I've done some further research with Luke Clements which found that they are often wildly inaccurate, are not especially good at reducing inequalities in resource allocation, can penalise people who live with family and ignore some potentially eligible needs altogether (Series, L. and L. Clements (2013). "Putting the Cart before the Horse: Resource Allocation Systems and Community Care " Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 35(2): 207-226, FREE pre-print here).
Coincidentally, around the same time, Peter Beresford, Colin Slasberg and Peter Schofield also did some research which found that the original data which RAS were developed using suggested they would be very inaccurate, and also reviewed evidence that they were increasing - not decreasing - the bureaucracy around care planning (Slasberg, C., et al. (2012). "How self directed support is failing to deliver personal budgets and personalisation " Research, Policy and Planning 29(3): 161-177, FREE copy here).
We are all speaking about RASs and our research at a National Conference at the King's Fund at the end of February this year (details below). Sarah Carr - an expert in user involvement in care planning - will also be speaking. And if that's not enough to get you there, then Joan Bakewell is the keynote speaker! Details follow below.
A National Conference that reviews the use of eligibility criteria and Resource Allocation Systems (RAS) in the context of the Adult Law Reform programme – spear-headed in England by the Care Bill and in Wales, by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.
The Conference brings together leading experts on the practical impact of RAS, eligibility criteria and Adult Law Reform. Professor Peter Beresford of Brunel University and Colin Slasberg have undertaken extensive research concerning the disappointing progress of the self directed support / personalisation initiative: research which identifies the need for major changes to the nature and content of eligibility decisions. Sarah Carr, through her extensive experience in both the statutory and independent sectors, will provide further context to the discussions by focusing on user participation and the demands of ‘equality’ principles in personalising social care.
The Conference will also hear from Dr Lucy Series and Professor Luke Clements of the Cardiff Law School whose research suggests that RAS (in their current form) have failed both for disabled people and for local authorities. Professor Clements’ presentation will concentrate on the impact of the new legislation, given that (1) the FACS criteria are to be recast and embedded in the new legislation ; and (2) some form of RAS mechanism will probably be needed to implement the ‘Dilnot’ reforms.
The Conference is jointly promoted by the School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University and Cardiff Law School, Cardiff University.
The Conference provides an opportunity for discussion, and debate and will be of especial relevance to those who are affected by the proposed legislation be they involved as service users, advocates, health and social care policy makers / practitioners, lawyers, researchers, independent sector service providers and policy activists.
28th February 2014 @ 9:00am
Venue: The King's Fund
11-13 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0AN
Contact: enquiries@croesoevents.co.uk
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