Support Brokerage For Care Services
http://moneycarer.org.uk/articles/articles/29/1/Support-Brokerage-For-Care-Services/Page1.html
Money Carer
Recent news stories of interest from Money Carer. By Money Carer
Published on 14/09/2007
Support brokerage for care services originated in the US and is seen as a crucial part of the move towards individual budgets and self directed support through the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) and In Control pilot projects in England and Scotland.
The Development Of Care Brokerage Services In The UK
Earlier this year the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) posed an interesting question to social care professionals and government policy makers about whether there would be merit in creating a new system of independent, professional social care brokers to help individuals navigate their way through the complexities of available care packages and financial arrangements.
The brokers would be able to assist the public through the care assessment process and provide support at what is a very difficult time for many people and help clients and carers to make the best choices.
CSCI raised questions about how the brokers would be paid, what their skill set should be, the precise model that should be used and if the brokers should be regulated. The support brokers could also help clients with other aspects of public services that could link into their circumstances such as transport, leisure, benefits and housing. Just like financial advisers, support brokers could offer an integrated approach to advice on clients’ rights in law, funding for services and help them to negotiate the best set of options.
The idea of independent brokers putting people at the heart of the decision making process promotes the self directed support philosophy with the person who needs care services at the centre of the plan. With the support of a broker, people could benefit from greater control over their services, increased independence and secure better value for money. As more people are paying for their own care packages this is an important consideration. It is also worth mentioning that brokers could also help Councils to deliver more personalised services that in turn achieve better value for taxpayers’ money.
There is a National Brokerage Network in England that has been incorporated within the ‘In Control’ pilot schemes and is part of the Inclusion Partnership. It is a network of networks that acts as an information exchange and an authoritative voice for the development of brokerage in the UK. It will take a lead role in lobbying politicians and policy makers with the views of the support broker movement and hopes to provide strong leadership and guidance in the development of the growing network.
The brokers would be able to assist the public through the care assessment process and provide support at what is a very difficult time for many people and help clients and carers to make the best choices.
CSCI raised questions about how the brokers would be paid, what their skill set should be, the precise model that should be used and if the brokers should be regulated. The support brokers could also help clients with other aspects of public services that could link into their circumstances such as transport, leisure, benefits and housing. Just like financial advisers, support brokers could offer an integrated approach to advice on clients’ rights in law, funding for services and help them to negotiate the best set of options.
The idea of independent brokers putting people at the heart of the decision making process promotes the self directed support philosophy with the person who needs care services at the centre of the plan. With the support of a broker, people could benefit from greater control over their services, increased independence and secure better value for money. As more people are paying for their own care packages this is an important consideration. It is also worth mentioning that brokers could also help Councils to deliver more personalised services that in turn achieve better value for taxpayers’ money.
There is a National Brokerage Network in England that has been incorporated within the ‘In Control’ pilot schemes and is part of the Inclusion Partnership. It is a network of networks that acts as an information exchange and an authoritative voice for the development of brokerage in the UK. It will take a lead role in lobbying politicians and policy makers with the views of the support broker movement and hopes to provide strong leadership and guidance in the development of the growing network.