Abstract:

Older people and disabled people often don’t qualify for full social services assistance. Yet many clearly do need help. Low intensity support can help prevent people reaching crisis point and enable them to sustain their own homes. But it is important to strike the right balance between helping people and controlling their lives. This Foundations considers how users perceive their services and needs, and highlights some innovative approaches to support. It assesses what users want, discusses what best practice might be and investigates some of the dilemmas for providers and the implications for policy reform.