Independent Living Review - Research and Publications

Independent living action and learning sites scoping study

This report presents the output of the scoping work for action and learning sites and a regional initiative to demonstrate how to use resources to better promote choice and control for disabled people.

The independent living strategy made a commitment to undertake scoping work for two initiatives:

action and learning sites to demonstrate redeployment of resources from professional assessment and care management to user-led support, advocacy and brokerage
a regional initiative to demonstrate how we can invest in independent living for older disabled people in residential/nursing care or at risk of moving into residential/nursing care.

The scoping study identifies potential candidate sites for these initiatives, explains the basis on which these sites were selected, provides an overview of current plans and challenges, and outlines the main activities required to deliver change.

The scoping study was conducted for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) by Risk Solutions in 2008.

The publication of this report delivers on commitment 2.1 of the Independent Living Strategy.

Independent living strategy action and learning sites scoping study (PDF, 153 pages, 1.08 MB)

Planning for the action and learning sites and regional initiatives

Following the scoping study the ODI has decided to go ahead with two demonstration projects.

A regional initiative in south-east England demonstrating how to invest in independent living for older disabled people in residential or nursing care, or at risk of moving into residential or nursing care
Action and learning sites to demonstrate how changes in traditional assessment and care-management and the use of user-led support, advocacy and brokerage can enable people to have choice and control over the support they need.

The scoping study will help inform the design of the two projects. They are scheduled to be launched in Spring 2009, after an initial planning and design period.

ODI has commissioned two organisations with expertise in change management to assist the sites to deliver and demonstrate the changes required. A research and analysis programme including an externally managed qualitative research component will measure the impact of the projects and the change management programmes.

Disabled people will be closely involved in the delivery of these projects. For example, the regional initiative includes resources to promote the involvement of older people with high support needs.

Commissioning of research on independent advocacy

The Independent Living Strategy made a commitment for ODI to examine the case for investment in advocacy support in situations where disabled people are particularly at risk of losing choice and control.

In September 2008 the Norah Fry Research Centre at the University of Bristol were commissioned to undertake research to help assess the need for, and the costs and benefits of providing, independent advocacy in the following situations:

when entry to residential care is a possibility
during transition to adulthood
when the children of disabled parents are subject to safeguarding procedures
when disabled people are victims or alleged perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.

This project has two stages.

Stage one is a literature review. This will outline the evidence that currently exists about advocacy in the four situations. It will also highlight where there is insufficient information to draw conclusions on the needs for, and cost and benefits of, advocacy.

Stage two will build upon the literature review. It will outline research that could close the gaps identified in stage one, allowing for a more complete picture of the benefits and costs of advocacy to be developed.

The final report will be published by Autumn 2009.

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