Think Local, Act Personal

In Control is one of 24 leading organisations from across the health and adult social care sector, brought together to officially endorse the Think Local, Act Personal agreement. The agreement sets out how councils, health bodies, providers and other community organisations will need to work more closely so individuals, their families and carers have great choice and control over their care and support.

The agreement, from the Putting People First Consortium has been finalised as the way forward for personalistion and community-based support. It strongly encourages providers from the independent, voluntary and private sectors to play a greater role in personalisation by offering an increasingly flexible and wider range of services; understanding the role of family carers and providing everyone with appropriate support and information. The agreement also recommends the removal of unnecessary bureaucracy.

'Think Local Act Personal' strongly echoes our own strategy for the next decade - 'Vision 2020'.

The Government's commitment to driving personalisation forward - faster and harder - is welcome news. There are, however, significant challenges ahead if we are to deliver this agenda in an effective way - empowering people, shifting power, and providing true choice and control. It is critical that we don't lose the values and ethics behind self-directed support.

Working on a local, personal level is exactly what we must do to effect long-term and sustainable change. Building stronger, more inclusive communities is critical and we will be further developing our work in this area to provide practical tools to help equip people with the knowledge and power they need to take responsibility for their lives.

Focusing on people's 'whole life' and making the most of their 'real wealth' - people's assets other than money, is also key, as is using technology such as shop4support to provide swift and accurate intelligence on provision and market options to deliver personalisation.

There is a real opportunity now to re-shape the system, to shift practice and attitudes and shape communities where people feel truly empowered to take control of their lives.

The full agreement can be downloaded below.