28 Aug 2009

The Importance of Personalisation

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is working with its partners to deliver personalisation of mental health care services. We first established a Personalisation Working Party in early 2008, shortly after the government brought out a document called "Putting People First" setting out its vision for the future direction of social care.

Personalisation is a key part of that vision, and means people having maximum choice and control, and the right information and services when they need them. It also means a shift in power from organisations to individuals.

The working party meets monthly to share information and provide updates on local areas, and members attend forums and training events on personalisation. Members of the working party recently met with the Personalisation Lead for Hartlepool City Council, which has now completely transformed from traditional social care provision to personalisation.

MHM has also been asked to be a part of a pilot with Mental Health North East, looking at the experiences of voluntary sector mental health agencies and their stakeholders as they prepare to meet the challenges imposed by personalisation, personal budgets and increased direct payments.