The resource allocation system (RAS) defines each
person's personal budget. The system must therefore give an
indication of how much money should be made available to the person
in their personal budget and say clearly what outcomes should be
achieved through the use of that money.
Defining both the outcomes and resources early on in the process
ensures that people can spend money in ways and at times that make
sense to them.
By creating a personal budget, using a RAS, self-directed
support offers the individual and their family both clarity of
outcomes and flexible control of resources, while avoiding an
over-reliance on pre-commissioned block-purchased services.
Having clarity of outcomes and resources also allows individuals
and their families to develop personalised support plans
appropriate to their own unique circumstances, aspirations and
needs- rather than taking a one size fits all approach. As
state resources are decided early on, the individual is free to
draw on their own social and financial resources to implement
support that looks beyond meeting basic needs and outside of the
limited range of service solutions traditionally on offer.
Watch a presentation on RAS by John Waters below.
Last Updated : 25 January 2011. Page Author: Laura Bimpson.
