Resources

A selection of resources to read online, watch and download.

Paper: 16.04.25

From National to Neighbourhood

From National to Neighbourhood

Can support providers become agents of citizenship and community development?

Paper: 16.04.25

Building Bridges Second Edition

Building Bridges Second Edition

A paper exploring how to help people leave Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs).

Article: 17.03.25

Developing a Self-Directed Support Strategy

Developing a Self-Directed Support Strategy

With the right approach councils can achieve better outcomes and reduced costs.

Article: 14.02.25

Hybrid Direct Payment Support Services

Hybrid Direct Payment Support Services

This article explores how councils can benefit from a hybrid approach to direct payments.

Article: 14.02.25

Outsourcing Direct Payment Support Services

Outsourcing Direct Payment Support Services

This article examines the benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing direct payment support services.

Article: 14.02.25

Insourcing Direct Payment Support Services

Insourcing Direct Payment Support Services

This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of insourcing direct payment support services.

Article: 03.12.24

Individual Service Funds Explainer

Individual Service Funds Explainer

The basic building blocks of offering personalised support with ISFs and what it means in practice.

Paper: 28.11.24

My Support Money

My Support Money

This template helps people be clear about how their personal budget is being used.

Article: 19.11.24

Delivering Sustainable Savings and Efficiencies in Social Care

Delivering Sustainable Savings and Efficiencies in Social Care

Individual Service Funds (ISFs) offer citizens the autonomy to control their care budgets directly.

Paper: 18.11.24

Individual Service Funds Business Case Template

Individual Service Funds Business Case Template

A practical, structured guide for Local Authorities considering implementing Individual Service Funds (ISFs).

Article: 10.03.24

Supporting People with Individual Service Funds

Supporting People with Individual Service Funds

Darwin Care support people with learning disabilities and autism in Dorset and use ISFs.

Article: 06.12.23

Third-Party Personal Health Budgets

Third-Party Personal Health Budgets

Third-Party Personal Health Budgets or Individual Service Funds (ISFs) are a key tool for personalising care.

Paper: 17.02.22

Personalising Commissioning

Personalising Commissioning

An overview of Individual Service Funds and how to personalise commissioning in health and social care.

Paper: 07.10.21

Building Bridges

Building Bridges

Bridging Support is a powerful means of accelerating people's ability to leave institutional services, like ATUs.

Paper: 29.08.21

Personal Budgets

Personal Budgets

An Easy Read guide plus film explaining the 4 different ways of funding your care and support and managing your Personal Budget.

Webinar: 23.07.21

Individual Service Funds in England

Individual Service Funds in England

Learn how Individual Service Funds are giving people more choice and control over their support.

Article: 07.06.21

Trying Out Individual Service Funds (ISFs)

Trying Out Individual Service Funds (ISFs)

Self Directed Futures' work with Bristol City Council commissioning team on their Individual Service Fund offer.

Paper: 14.12.20

Supporting and Developing the Workforce for ISFs

Supporting and Developing the Workforce for ISFs

This guide from Skills for Care was developed over several months by the South West Individual Service Fund Network and several Fellows of the Centre for Welfare Reform.

Article: 23.06.20

Growing New Models of Support

Growing New Models of Support

How individual service funds (ISFs) can lead to new ways of supporting people in their own communities.

Paper: 20.06.20

Good Things About Individual Service Funds

Good Things About Individual Service Funds

An easy read guide to Individual Service Funds or ISFs. A great way to manage your support.

Webinar: 16.06.20

SDS Network: Individual Service Funds (ISFs)

SDS Network: Individual Service Funds (ISFs)

Chris Watson of Self Directed Futures and Gary Kent of New Key and Jacqui Hendra of Devon County Council on ISFs.

Article: 01.06.20

Social Care's Response to COVID-19

Social Care's Response to COVID-19

Chris Watson shares his observations on how commissioners in health and social care have responsed to the COVID-19 crisis.

Article: 12.05.20

Contracting for ISFs

Contracting for ISFs

Chris Watson briefly outlines the main legal features of an Individual Service Fund (ISF) and explores how community hubs or micro-enterprises might use them.

Paper: 18.02.20

A Commissioners' Guide to Individual Service Funds

A Commissioners' Guide to Individual Service Funds

This guide offers a commissioner's perspective on how to implement Individual Service Funds and widen self-directed support beyond Direct Payments.