Should We Ban Brokerage?

Doubts raised about independent professional brokerage

The Centre for Welfare Reform, in association with Paradigm, has published its first Discussion Paper entitled:

Authors: Simon Duffy & Kate Fulton

Publication date: 6 November 2009

As local authorities begin the transformation of adult social care services many advocate that there is a critical role for independent professional brokers to advise people about how to use their individual budgets. In this ground-breaking paper the authors question the arguments put forward for independent professional brokers, suggesting that they could be the least efficient support system for people managing individual budgets.

Author Kate Fulton says: “We are often asked by Local Authorities who are in the process of exploring brokerage if accredited independent professional brokers are the solution. There is a belief that the only legitimate source of support must come from this role. This is despite the fact that there are great examples of Self-Directed Support working for people without this profession."

The paper argues that instead of a new profession local authorities need to create a community-based support system, one that makes it easy and efficient for people to be in control. This also means making sure that existing organisations and professions play their full part in offering people support.

Author Simon Duffy says: “We do not need a new profession of independent brokers - we need existing professionals, like social workers, to be given the chance to show that they can offer the right kind of support.”

The paper also argues that a range of different supports will be necessary and that there needs to be constant innovation in how people are supported.

Sally Warren, Managing Director of Paradigm, who sponsored the writing of the paper says: “Support Brokerage is not a new idea, but we are struggling to get it right for people. There is confusion, some resistance and of course, some good practice developing. As the number of people with individual budgets increases it is essential that we develop wide ranging, creative, empowering local approaches to support people to get the lives they want and to be in control. One size does not and will not fit all.”

The Discussion Paper will be launched on Friday 6th November at Paradigm’s Conference in London entitled Should We Ban Brokerage?

Download the paper here.

More information at www.centreforwelfarereform.org and www.paradigm-uk.org

Summary of Should We Ban Brokerage?

This discussion paper aims to encourage more thinking and discussion about the development of a support structure for Self-Directed Support. The paper is split into three parts: first, we set out our concerns at the development of a narrowly defined model of Independent Professional Brokerage; second, we explore an alternative community-based model of support; and finally we offer 10 practical strategies for local action.

We believe that a community-based model of support offers an approach which is more open, effective and efficient. In fact a shift towards such a community-based model may even reduce the funding necessary for infrastructure and increase the funding available for direct support - putting more money directly in the control of older people and disabled people.

A community-based model:

• encourages and supports people to do more for themselves

• makes peer-to-peer support easily available

• makes better use of the current investment in community services

• encourages service providers to design and develop personalised support

• builds on the skills and abilities of existing professionals.

We are only just beginning to understand how best to support and develop Self-Directed Support. But progress to date has been made without the need for a new profession of Independent Professional Brokers. Instead progress has been made by taking an inclusive approach, one that enables everyone to take advantage of the flexibilities and benefits of Self-Directed Support.

Simon Duffy

Between 1990 and 1994 Simon led the development of a system of brokerage and individualised funding in Southwark. In 1996 he founded Inclusion Glasgow and developed Individual Budgets. In 2000 he began working with North Lanarkshire Council on the development of Self-Directed Support. Simon then led In Control from 2003 to 2009; during this time he proposed a functional model of brokerage, to replace the professional model that had become dominant in Canada and the USA. Simon has now established the Centre for Welfare Reform in order to promote a welfare system that promotes citizenship, family and community. [Mobile 07729 7729 41]

Kate Fulton

Kate is a Senior Consultant for Paradigm, with a particular interest in support brokerage. She has worked in a variety of settings, supporting people with learning disabilities and people who experience mental ill health. Kate’s work has included working in the statutory, private and independent sector. Kate also spent many years in the advocacy field exploring planning and service design. Kate co-developed and led Paradigm’s Brokerage for Change development programme in 2007 and more recently co-authored the CSIP guidance on best practice in support planning and brokerage in 2008. Much of Kate’s work focuses on the development of support brokerage and she is keen to ensure that the new system empowers citizens to really direct their support. [Mobile 0779 103 5129]

Centre for Welfare Reform

The Centre for Welfare Reform is an independent research and development network. Its aim is to transform the current welfare state into one that supports citizenship, family & community. It was founded by Simon Duffy in 2009. Its primary areas of focus are:

• Tax-benefit reform - building a fair and transparent system of entitlements and contributions.

• Community development - promoting a new relationship between government and civil society.

• Personalised education - supporting the development of effective education and family responsibility.

• Self-Directed Support - creating an integrated model of personalised support for health and social care.

• Restoring citizenship - supporting communities to restore hope and citizenship to those who have become most cut-off by drugs, prison, abuse or institutionalisation.

Paradigm

Paradigm exists to ensure that people are fully supported to discover their own potential and to live the lives they choose. We provide a range of tailor-made supports in the UK, including consultancy, training, conferences, publications and information; helping people, communities and services build an inclusive future. We work hard to be different and to make a difference, both in the lives of people and in the organisations that support them. We are not like any other consultancy or training agency - see for yourself by exploring our website www.paradigm-uk.org

Charles Spencer has stepped down as Chair of Choice Support’s Board of Management after more than 18 years service. In recognition of his exceptional and outstanding contribution, Charles has been appointed as Honorary President. He continues to serve as a Trustee and intends to remain involved in a number of areas of the organisation.

During the period that Charles led Choice Support the organisation grew from just 11 employees and an annual turnover of £1 million, to over 1500 employees and a turnover approaching £40 million.

Speaking at Choice Support’s Annual General Meeting, on October 7th 2009, Chief Executive Steven Rose praised Charles’s commitment and dedication over the years. He said that the relationship between the Chair and Chief Executive was crucial to the success of any organisation, and that at the heart of his and Charles's highly successful working partnership was a shared and uncompromising belief in the essence of what Choice Support stood for – improving life chances for disabled and disadvantaged people.

As Charles now takes up the position of President, the Trustees of Choice Support have elected Barry Coker to the position of Chair. Steven said that both he and the Senior Management Team (SMT) welcomed Barry’s appointment.

Barry has been Treasurer of Choice Support since 1991. He is an accountant by profession and works as the Finance and Resources Adviser to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in the Home Office. He previously worked as a Chief Officer in various London Boroughs and in a large Housing Association.

Over the years Barry has been fully involved with other Trustees and the SMT in developing the vision and strategy for Choice Support. He stresses the importance of working to maintain Choice Support’s excellent reputation in delivering high quality support to service users and our local authority clients through a period of serious economic challenges. In thanking the Board for his appointment he said:

“It is a real privilege to work with such an excellent team of people at Choice Support, from support staff to senior managers. At a time of economic gloom the one spark of sunshine is to see the difference each of us can make to the lives of our service users. Every one of our staff makes a huge difference to the lives of people every day, and as a charity this must remain our singular goal. We aim to make a difference and through you all I know we do and will continue to do so. It is a real honour and privilege to work with you. Thank you all.”

Barry is also a Trustee of a child protection charity, The Lucy Faithfull Foundation. He is married to Isobel and lives in Dulwich. He has a wide range of interests, which include local history to collecting Lego and Edwardian postcards of the Crystal Place (1911) and the Great White City Exhibitions (1908 – 1914).

Being the Boss have produced with support from UnLtd, Choice Support and Nottinghamshire County Council a comprehensive handbook.

"A Handbook for Disabled Employers and their Personal Assistants”

New website/new logo

Choice Support has a new website and a new logo, both designed by DS Print and Redesign (http://www.ds-redesign.co.uk/). As well as a fresh new look, all of the content on the site has been updated. Keep coming back over the coming weeks and you'll see many more stories, pictures and films about what we do and the people we work with.