Our Work
Mental Health Services Enhancement with Norfolk County Council
Objective: Assess the impact of Individual Service Funds (ISF) in mental health services.
Description & Impact: Self Directed Futures (SDF) collaborated with Norfolk County Council and Together for Mental Wellbeing, initiating a 24-month project. Efforts included stakeholder engagement, contract updates, developing new financial processes, training for providers, and establishing outcomes measurement strategies. The project achieved its goals, enhancing service delivery and support mechanisms.
Workforce Guidance Development with Skills for Care
Objective: Create comprehensive ISF delivery guidance for support providers.
Description & Impact: SDF, alongside Skills for Care and other partners, reviewed existing ISF guidance, extracting key insights. The resulting document, published in 2020, serves as a valuable resource for ISF implementation.
ISF Policy Formulation for Lancashire County Council
Objective: Formulate a policy to streamline ISF implementation within the council's personalisation framework.
Description & Impact: Through a collaborative effort with Lancashire County Council, SDF helped craft a comprehensive ISF policy. The process involved extensive stakeholder consultation, culminating in a council-wide policy that was published in 2022.
Warwickshire ISF Pilot Programme
Objective: Evaluate ISF effectiveness with service providers for individuals with learning disabilities.
Description & Impact: SDF designed a project for Warwickshire County Council to introduce ISFs to three service providers. Key project elements included contracts development, payment process mapping, provider engagement, and outcomes measurement. The initiative spanned 24 months, offering continuous support and achieving successful outcomes.
Direct Payments and ISF Guidance for Essex County Council
Objective: Enhance guidance on Direct Payments for social work teams.
Description & Impact: SDF engaged in desktop research and consultations with social work teams in Essex, developing enriched practice guidance. The project produced comprehensive resources, including videos and training modules, to support consistent Direct Payments training.
Third Party Personal Health Budget Guidance for NHS England
Objective: Develop ISF guidance for Integrated Care Boards.
Description & Impact: As part of a consortium, SDF contributed to crafting ISF guidance for NHS commissioners. This initiative resulted in a published guide that aids in the effective application of ISFs within healthcare settings.
Joint Integrated Budget 'Roundtables' with NHS England
Objective: Promote best practices and co-produce guidance on integrated personal budgets.
Description & Impact: SDF facilitated roundtable discussions to capture integration experiences, contributing to a practice guidance in collaboration with NHS England. The guidance highlights integration from lived experiences and the necessary system changes for commissioning and operation.
Direct Payments Policy Update for Bristol City Council
Objective: Update Direct Payments policy and guidance for children and families.
Description & Impact: SDF worked with Bristol City Council to analyze the local employment market, update policies, and create accessible guidance for practitioners and families, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and highlighting Direct Payments' flexibility.
Innovative Projects and Collaborations
SDF has led and participated in various other projects, including market shaping with Wiltshire ICB, community support initiatives with Bristol City Council, personalised commissioning with Nottingham City Council, and strategy development for self-directed support across different regions and organisations. These projects have focused on enhancing service funds, implementing new policies, and fostering community-based support models, demonstrating SDF's commitment to improving care and support services through innovative and collaborative approaches.