Do Personal Budgets Increase the Risk of Abuse? Evidence from English National Data

• DOI: 10.1017/s0047279416000623
• Publication Date: 2016-09-09T00:32:39Z
• Authors: MOHAMED ISMAIL; SHEREEN HUSSEIN; MARTIN STEVENS; JOHN WOOLHAM; JILL MANTHORPE; FIONA ASPINAL; KATE BAXTER; KRITIKA SAMSI
• Keywords: Safeguarding; Elder Abuse; Direct Payments; Mainstream

Abstract With the continued implementation of personalisation policy, Personal Budgets (PBs) have moved to mainstream in adult social care England. The relationship between policy goals and safeguarding is contentious. Some argued that PBs potential empower recipients, while others believe PBs, especially Direct Payments, might increase risk abuse. This paper provides empirical evidence about levels uptake referrals England based on in-depth analysis national data at aggregate, local council level England, covering 152 Councils. complemented by 2,209 individual referral records obtained from three purposively selected study sites. aim explore whether available could provide association referrals. Analysis dataset found no significant relationships PB type alleged However, individual-level data, sites did find some associations particularly with financial abuse; main perpetrators abuse be home-care employees. findings are discussed within context current practice.