John Larsen1, Jerry Tew2, Sarah Hamilton3, Jill Manthorpe4, Vanessa Pinfold3, Paulina Szymczynska5, Naomi Clewett3. 1. a Drinkaware, Salisbury House , London , UK . 2. b Institute of Applied Social Studies, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham , UK . 3. c The McPin Foundation , London , UK . 4. d Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College London, Virginia Wolf Building, Kingsway , London , UK , and. 5. e Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Academic Unit, Newham Centre for Mental Health , London , UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In England, personal budgets are offered to eligible people with severe mental health problems to enable them to purchase what is helpful for their quality of life or recovery. However, in-depth insight into people's own perceptions of the outcomes is lacking. AIMS: To investigate people's own reporting of outcomes from using personal budgets in relation to social care needs arising from severe mental health problems. METHOD: A convenience sample of 47 individuals receiving personal budgets was recruited from three English local authorities. In-depth semi-structured interviews were subject to thematic framework analysis. RESULTS: Most participants identified positive outcomes across domains interconnected through individual life circumstances, with mental health and wellbeing, social participation and relationships, and confidence and skills most commonly reported. Some needed more support than others to identify goals and make use of the personal budget to take a more active part in the society. CONCLUSIONS: Personal budgets can enable people to achieve outcomes that are relevant to them in the context of their lives, particularly through enhancing their wellbeing and social participation. Consideration should be given to distinguishing those individuals potentially requiring more support for engagement from those who can engage more independently to identify and pursue their goals.
BACKGROUND: In England, personal budgets are offered to eligible people with severe mental health problems to enable them to purchase what is helpful for their quality of life or recovery. However, in-depth insight into people's own perceptions of the outcomes is lacking. AIMS: To investigate people's own reporting of outcomes from using personal budgets in relation to social care needs arising from severe mental health problems. METHOD: A convenience sample of 47 individuals receiving personal budgets was recruited from three English local authorities. In-depth semi-structured interviews were subject to thematic framework analysis. RESULTS: Most participants identified positive outcomes across domains interconnected through individual life circumstances, with mental health and wellbeing, social participation and relationships, and confidence and skills most commonly reported. Some needed more support than others to identify goals and make use of the personal budget to take a more active part in the society. CONCLUSIONS: Personal budgets can enable people to achieve outcomes that are relevant to them in the context of their lives, particularly through enhancing their wellbeing and social participation. Consideration should be given to distinguishing those individuals potentially requiring more support for engagement from those who can engage more independently to identify and pursue their goals.
Entities:
Keywords:
Personal budget; mental health; outcomes; personalisation; recovery; service user experience