Powerful true stories reveal success of person-centred approach

A young man with complex needs who now lives in supported housing instead of secure, institutional care and a deaf, learning disabled man who recruits his own care staff are among the people featured in a report published today by the sector's leading umbrella group.

The report Making it Real: personalisation in social care, a case study report, illustrates in practical terms through true stories, how the Making it Real initiative from Think Local, Act Personal (TLAP) has the power to transform care for adults. It describes how Making it Real enables disabled people, and their families to judge how far they are at the centre of care, and enables providers to mark progress towards this personalisation and illustrate the positive impact to funders.

The report published by VODG, in association with Department of Health Strategic Partners the National Care Forum and Sue Ryder, and in collaboration with cross-sector partnership TLAP, coincides with TLAP's expansion and new vision for personalised care and support.

The VODG report supports the group's commitment to TLAP and Making it Real. Among the stories featured is that of 23-year-old Chris, whose care provider, Dimensions, adopted Making it Real. Since Dimensions took over his support, Chris has more control over his daily activities and helps recruit his own staff. His support needs have reduced and the approach has helped save more than £130,000 in care costs a year. Chris is quoted in today's report: "I like that I can pick my staff and only have staff I have chosen. I'm happy living here."

Other people whose stories are shared include Zena, the lone parent of two boys with special needs, struggling with the dual demands of work and her caring role until she found a carer support group that employed the Making it Real approach. Becky (not her real name), has also seen her life change, enjoying holidays for the first time thanks to her provider's adoption of Making it Real.

VODG chairman Clare Pelham, who is chief executive of Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: "Imagine if you were to become a disabled person tomorrow. You would want the care and support that you receive to start with you and your preferences. To put you at the centre. It can never be right for people to be slotted into the existing system of a care provider. That is the reverse of good practice. So, it is helpful to have a practical, clear path to deliver truly personalised care - this is what Making it Real offers. Our report illustrates Making it Real through powerful stories about disabled people in a range of care settings with a variety of support needs. Their stories reveal how the framework is accessible, achievable and results in positive outcomes. Making it Real is about people and the way they are listened to and supported; it's an important reminder that care starts with the person - not their care provider."

Sam Bennett, programme director, TLAP said: "The best care professionals aim to involve the individual as an active participant, not as a passive recipient of support. This is central to our new partnership agreement. Fundamentally, good care and support should promote people's wellbeing and help build stronger community links. Embracing the Making it Real approach helps make that aspiration a reality."

As well as personal stories, the report recommends stakeholder actions, including:

• boards adopting the framework and requiring progress reports from senior managers on its use across the organisation
• clinical commissioning groups using it as an assessment tool to support integrated care and co-production
• disabled people and their families encouraging their provider to use Making it Real, knowing that they can check on progress.