24/7 grid helps someone build a tailored support structure focused on how the individual wants to live and mapping it around the opportunities available locally.
This case study was submitted to the Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement project by Rachel Mason from SDS Consultancy.
The publication of this case study is not an endorsement.
The challenge
Rachel could see that that a Resource Allocation Assessment (RAS), arriving at a sum of money to provide support for an abstract set of needs, would not provide a clear picture of what support her sons needed to live a good life in their local community. Something focused on how they as individuals wanted to live their lives and what they could be supported to do was needed.
The innovation
24/7 Grid offers the individual, support workers and commissioners a way to visualise budgets – as well as see at a glance what activities this money is being used for and track that spending in real time. It is a support planning tool which allows the person using it to easily plan, map and track person-centred support.
The tool can also be used to highlight gaps in care, when assisted technology could be used, and also when wider support (e.g. from the community, family and friends) could be better drawn upon.
24/7 is available as an app and plans are also printable so they can be shared physically.
The impact
24/7 grid enables someone to build a tailored support structure focused on how the individual wants to live and mapping it around the opportunities available locally.
Using 24/7 grid, people have been able to request and access personal budgets that that meet their needs, while costing the local authority significantly less.
The tool has successfully been applied in 24 Local Authorities and was featured in report from ADASS which spotlights excellent examples of using technology to improve care – Exploring How Technology Can Be Truly Integrated Into Adult Social Care, March 2021.
Risks and mitigations
As this is coproduced with the person receiving the funding, risks and mitigations are considered in the planning stage, with gaps highlighted.
Engaging with staff and people who use services
24/7 Grid aims to put the needs of the individual at the centre of their care planning and gives them greater control of managing their own personal budgets.
The colour-coded system allows for easier co-production with people who use services and allows the individual to see their current support package at-a-glance, seeing areas where more support might be needed to achieve what they want from their care packages.
Feedback from systems partners
People are expressing how much better their lives are and the support staff are telling us how much more job satisfaction they now have.
Jacqui Hendra, Social Care Assessor, Devon
Supporting the person to identify their life goals through person centred planning and using the 24/7 grid to agree with them how the funding from adult social care could be used to achieve them, is important, regardless of how the support is commissioned.
Liz Wood, Disability Lead, South Devon
Service types where this could be useful
This could be used in any setting where a care package is being arranged for an individual, either by the local authority or through self-funding. Commissioners use this tool to see if indicative budgets are adequate, and local authorities use at peer review panels to set out how a support package has been designed and costed.
Why we have shared this
This tool allows individual to be fully involved in planning their care and manage their budget, and is transparent and easily accessible.
Contact details for this innovation
Rachel Mason (rachelmason.sdsconsultancy@gmail.com)
SDS Consultancy