December 18, 2008

Adult care personalisation: the challenge of implementation

CareWorks and In Control Partnerships join forces to create a vision for the next generation adult social care information system enabling personalisation and self-directed support.

In order to deliver the vision of people empowered to take charge of their own support, new software solutions are needed. Today’s social care systems operated by Councils were designed to meet the needs of social work professionals in assessing need and providing support. New solutions are now needed so that service users have the tools they need to direct their own support. That is why CareWorks is collaborating with In Control to create a vision for the next generation social care system enabling personalisation and self-directed support.

Following an initial period of collaboration, CareWorks intends to enter into an agreement to produce new software solutions where service users will for the first time have access to the tools they need to direct their own support. The new solutions will be operated by social care providers such as local authorities, health trusts and the independent sector.

This initiative by CareWorks and In Control complements the recently announced Shop4Support venture. Once people have identified the funding available to them they can access Shop4Support to tap in to available providers and their services as they plan their own support.

“Our 122 local authority members are really keen to promote Self-Directed Support and to develop the new IT systems that will be necessary to achieve these reforms. In Control is really keen to support IT companies, like CareWorks, to develop these new systems. We look forward to developing a mutually rewarding relationship that will bring the benefits of Self-Directed Support to everyone receiving Social Care and to all our members” says Simon Duffy, Chief Executive at In Control.

Michael Dolan added: “Local Authorities need technology partners who understand what it takes to make personalisation a reality. Our collaboration with In Control offers a unique combination of knowledge, experience and technology to respond to the transformation of adult social care. It will ensure that we understand the needs of service users and put them at the heart of our supporting information system” says Michael Dolan, Director at CareWorks.