There seems to be universal agreement that we are facing an urgent crisis in long-term health and social care. In Control and our allies have positively influenced national policy and legislation, but there is much work to be done to close the “rhetoric-reality gap” in the context of the severe financial pressures being faced by statutory bodies. Failure to deliver the authentic self-direction promised by policy in social care, health and education is severely impacting

This is a new resource sponsored by Alternative Futures Group and developed by In Control working with Helen Sanderson Associates. The e-book aims to help those who want to develop much more person centred community based supports for people with dementia. We have researched both promising developments for people with dementia and also innovations developed in other fields which we believe could be adapted to include people with dementia. None of these approaches are currently

In April 2015 the introduction of the Care Act in England radically changed the way in which care and support services are organised. The act places local authorities under a very powerful obligation. They are charged not just with having regard for, but with actually ‘promoting’ an individual’s wellbeing. The act also covers many of the obligations the government has signed up to under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  In

Partners in Policymaking is renowned and internationally respected. Lynne Elwell, who brought the course to the UK in 1996, has continued to develop programmes for over 20 years. This year brought a new growth in the Partners network with a course specifically designed for people who are living with Dementia and their families. Lynne Elwell and Julie Stansfield led the new programme, ‘Shifting the Pattern’, in Hartlepool. ‘Shifting the Pattern’ aimed to equip people who

I was invited, along with Partners in Policymaking graduates, to attend a reception at the Scottish Parliament on 25th April 2017. The room was full of invited ministers and members of the Scottish parliament, and the event was sponsored by Fulton MacGregor MSP.     I began the presentation with a brief history of how Partners in Policymaking came about, how it has developed over 21 years and Scotland’s part in this. I was followed

Members of our Board of Trustees have extensive experience of working within the health and social care sector and consequently play a key role in the shaping of In Control. Here you can meet a few of them as they explain why they support In Control and act as a trustee.   ‘I see In Control as torchbearers in knowing that to stay ahead of the self-directed support curve, they have to anticipate trends and respond

On Friday June 23rd, Martin Routledge presented at a two day seminar titled: Innovative Social Investment, Reforming Public Services. Manchester Metropolitan University is leading a Horizon2020 project Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening Communities in Europe. This project comes to an end in October 2017. The Manchester team convened a UK seminar to explore some of the themes that have emerged from the project and that are of particular interest to the UK. The seminar focussed on public service

At In Control we have a national advice line and have done surveys using our Personal Outcomes Evaluation Tool (POET) – both tell us that too often people are struggling to make policy on choice and control a reality in their lives. Lots of people and organisations at local level contact us and we try to use our experience and position to help, but sometimes we are limited by our capacity. We also believe that “together we