Personalisation of social care: benefits and pitfalls for users of services and occupational therapists

摘要

Central government policy emphasises increasingly the importance of users of services having choice and control in health and social care. The policy, particularly in social care, is known as 'personalisation. The Department of Health explains this as a move away from the traditional welfare state to a consumer-type model of service provision. The policy is Janus faced. It undoubtedly has the potential to improve the quality of people's lives and to give occupational therapists the opportunity to use their skills and expertise. Equally, it comes with pitfalls carrying the potential to erode people's statutory rights to services and also to alter and possibly threaten the role of professionals.