We would like to understand the progress in offering Individual Service Funds (ISFs) in your area.
To do this, we have been gathering data from local authorities with social care responsibility over the last 5 years and asking them several questions:
1) How would you describe ISF progress in your area? (ISFs are available / ISFs are being trialled / ISFs are not available)
ISFs are being piloted with a small number of providers for disabilities groups.
2) If ISFs are available in your area, how many individuals aged 18-64 have used them in the last 12 months?
Around 20 individuals.
3) Do you have a policy for Direct Payments (DPs) and Individual Service Funds (ISFs) that cover: (please provide links or a pdf)
Yes there is a policy: Self-directed support (direct payments) policy – Adult Social Care, but it does not currently cover ISFs as they are only being trialled, and are not a formal offer.
a) What DPs and ISFs can be used for?
They can be used to purchase care and support to meet eligible needs as agreed within a co-produced plan by the recipient (or their representative) and the Social Care Practitioner in-line with the policy.
b) How rates are set?
Please see section 6 of the policy, ‘calculating the amount of personal budget’, Self-directed support (direct payments) policy – Adult Social Care.
c) Whether you have annual uplifts for your rates?
Direct Payments are based on individual assessed needs to meet the costs of services required. These are not automatically uplifted annually in line with inflation.
This is because people often spend their direct payment flexibly on a range of different services or activities and may be able to afford to meet any increased costs within their existing budget.
However, if someone feels they can no longer fund the support they require to meet their eligible needs, they should contact Devon County Council Adult Social Care and their situation will be reviewed.
Currently, ISFs are automatically uplifted annually in line with inflation. However, as ISFs are operating as a trial, the uplift process is not fully finalised.
d) How much is paid to administer or manage an ISF?
As part of the pilot, where admin or management costs have not been agreed, this has been done on a case-by-case basis.