🧩 3 new(ish!) resources to support personalisation in practice: 📘 Preparing for Adulthood 🎓 Direct Payments e-learning 💃 I Just Want to Be Able to Dance See more highlights → 🔗 buff.ly/okvhtEK #SocialCare #Personalisation #CoProduction

“Direct Payments are great – but there’s nothing to buy.” That’s what people tell us when councils tie them to supplier lists, ban ordinary purchases, or demand excessive oversight. Here are 3 tips to fix it ⬇️ Join our webinar Direct Payments: but there’s nothing to buy!? 🔗 buff.ly/EcfP0ce

Are Direct Payments helping people to live good lives? Or are we still counting hours on a spreadsheet? Rich Amos explores in his latest blog, as he shares his honest reflections on what’s working well, what isn’t, and why leadership, trust, and culture matter just as much as policy buff.ly/uOM9XqF

Yesterday in Parliament I met Jennifer from Think Local Act Personal to discuss digital exclusion at the Mind the Gap event. We explored why inclusive design matters and how co-producing with people who draw on care is vital to tackle barriers early.

We had a great time at the Mind the Gap event, hosted by @centreforcare.bsky.social & Steve Darling MP. The Mind the Gap board game is a clever way to explore the barriers people face to accessing digital services. Social care can thrive in a digital world, but only if we bring everyone with us.

For Direct Payments to work as intended, we need to start asking the right questions. It really comes down to one thing — is the support helping people live good lives? That shift in thinking changes everything. Rich Amos discusses this, and more, in his latest blog buff.ly/uOM9XqF

Sometimes, in the middle of a busy day, there is value in pausing to read something that might reconnect you to why you do what you do. This blog from Isaac Samuels OBE is one of those reads. And it might just give you a moment of perspective and hope. Read it here buff.ly/jb8s4VK

Ahead of our webinar on "Direct Payments and the care and support market", Kate talks about the experience of trying to find things for her daughter, Maddy, to do with her personal budget. Join the webinar on Tue 25 Nov. Link: buff.ly/XPq3Qpf

🧠 3 ways to keep innovation in care ethical and human 🚫 Not just about gadgets. ✅ Start with values, inclusion, and what really matters to people. 📊 From AI to data to workforce leadership, our latest carousel shares lessons we’ve learned this year. 🔗 Reports + highlights: buff.ly/okvhtEK

💥 3 big questions that we'll be discussing at our next Direct Payments webinar on 25th November 💥 This time: "Direct Payments – but there's nothing to buy!" Book your place at buff.ly/AyJ3Wtc

Yesterday @coproisaac.bsky.social collected their OBE. Congratulations, Isaac! Isaac reminds us that this honour isn't just about personal achievement, as they share this recognition with people with multiple disadvantages and lived experiences of injustice. Read their reflections bit.ly/3LaUr25

WEBINAR | TOMORROW: Making Direct Payments work with finite resources 🗓️ 28 Oct 🕰️ 12:30–1:30 🎟️ Free – open to all 🔗 buff.ly/PtXVzIC #DirectPayments #SocialCare #ChoiceAndControl

It’s a simple wish, but it speaks volumes. It says everything about what good dementia care and support should be about: enabling people to keep doing the things that make life worth living. We looked more closely at the importance of wellbeing for people living with dementia. 👇 buff.ly/dHbF9LK

If we want genuine change, we must make it the norm that people with lived experience are present, heard, and valued in every conversation. Are you making sure the right voices are in the room? Here's is some practical support to get you started. 🟣 buff.ly/oGVINIR 🟣 buff.ly/amhIAxz

Keep on banging that drum, Caroline – it needs to be heard! | Read Caroline's full blog on creative support planning and Direct Payments, here: buff.ly/sE60o7G

We’ve been working with the Care Quality Commission to explore leadership through the eyes of people who draw on care and support, family and friend carers, and people who work in care and support. Spoiler: leadership isn’t just for those “at the top” it belongs to all of us. buff.ly/FxQfL22

The words we use shape how people are seen and how they see themselves. In conversations about disability, it helps to understand the difference between person-first and identity-first language. Click here for a full explanation buff.ly/zWDCO8Z And remember, always ask people how they identify.

“How restrictive are your Direct Payments?" We asked people to share their experiences. Here’s what they told us 👇

What did we work on over the last financial year? Our new 24-25 Highlights Report shares work across five key areas – from co-production to innovation and inclusion in care and support: buff.ly/bUDEWVJ #socialcare #coproduction #TLAP #careandsupport

Paula Sardinha has found Direct Payments to be transformative – but there have been huge hurdles along the way. After speaking at an event on Direct Payments in partnership with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Paula told us about her experiences:

When you think of people living their lives, what images come to mind? Time and again we see the same cliches. We know things aren't perfect. But if we only show one story, we won't inspire change. Instead, let’s shock people with images of strength, connection, and imagination.

What does good care and support look like? People who draw on care and support and those who work in it co-produced 86 statements that answer this question. Organised into 6 themes, Making It Real is a shared vision of care and support that works for everyone. www.makingitreal.org.uk

Do you want care and support work better for more people? So do we, but we can only make it happen with your help. Follow us, visit our website, sign up to our mailing list. By connecting with us, you tap into: – Co-produced resources – Events and workshops – Lived experience insights 💜

“You are made to feel guilty… like a naughty school child.” Direct Payment rules shouldn’t leave families feeling this way. Oversight must support, not punish. 👉 Learn how to improve practice in our webinar: Making Direct Payments work with finite resources 📅 Tue 28th Oct 🔗 buff.ly/AyJ3Wtc

One person changing how they speak can shift a conversation. Many people changing how they speak can shift a culture. Visit our Language Hub to explore how we can all do better, hear from people with lived experience, and take simple steps to change the conversation for good. buff.ly/ArrGvma

We shared this for World Suicide Prevention Day. But it matters every day. Take a moment to read this very personal blog from @coproisaac.bsky.social buff.ly/G9xzAo3

Have a read of this month's Care Talk! @lizleach.bsky.social talks about how wellbeing, identity, and community can reshape support for people living with dementia. @coproisaac.bsky.social tells us about how co-production can transform care and support, and his journey to an OBE.

Autumn event season is here! And we want to see people with lived experience centre stage. Too often their voices are missing because events aren’t set up to support them, or they weren’t invited. These resources will help bring lived experience to the heart of your events buff.ly/oGVINIR

💥 3 big questions that we'll be discussing at our next Direct Payments webinar later this month 💥 Book your place at buff.ly/AyJ3Wtc

Current policy sees dementia as a disease to be managed, rather than seeing the person and what makes life meaningful. We're proud to share a hopeful vision for dementia that is grounded in stories from people who want to be recognised, connected, and do things that matter to them. buff.ly/dHbF9LK

How can Creative Support Planning help you get the most out of Direct Payments? Three mums share what works: ✨ Person-centred planning ✨ Finding the right PAs ✨ Roles in the community 📅 Join our webinar on this topic next Tuesday – sign up is free: 👉 buff.ly/AyJ3Wtc #DirectPayments #SocialCare

Imagine decisions about people who work in adult social care being made without hearing from the people who live it every day. If you work in social care, you know the challenges better than anyone. Complete the adult social care workforce survey today buff.ly/UMNPhGy

Are person-centred thinking tools the missing link in creative support planning? 🧠 Join us on Tuesday 30 July to hear how a manager in Sheffield is helping her team explore these powerful tools to improve Direct Payments. 📅 Sign up: thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/DirectPaymentEvents

"The most important thing is having independence, choice and control over the care that Joshua and I receive, everyone should have that right." Jacqui Darlington #CareCantWait @adass.bsky.social Please read Jacqui and Joshua's story. buff.ly/EhQco9z

▶️ WATCH NOW: Why is creativity so vital for Direct Payments to work well? 💬 EXPLORE FURTHER: Join us for our 'Creative support planning and Direct Payments' webinar on Tuesday, 30th September. Book your place now: buff.ly/yaZ2I8S

When care and support is well-led you notice the difference in the confidence it gives people, the trust it builds, and the culture it creates. We talked to people to understand what it really feels like when a service or organisation is well-led. Explore our findings buff.ly/7icq6Ez

Nottinghamshire County Council is developing a new Adult Social Care Strategy. To shape it, they want to hear directly from people who draw on care and support, and from family and friend carers. If you're in Nottinghamshire, you can have your say. See how at bit.ly/3VVxdyR

Have you seen our new programme of Reinvigorating Direct Payments events? Here’s what we’ve got coming up for 2025… and you can book now at buff.ly/7rqrXIR.

Following #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, we're proud to share this important and personal blog from @coproisaac.bsky.social, Co-chair of National Co-Production Advisory Group. Read it here thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/blog/reachin... @samaritans.bsky.social

🚨 NEW: National events + webinars to reinvigorate Direct Payments From Sept 2025, TLAP + DHSC are running a new series for councils, social workers and support orgs, and people who draw on care and support. See the programme & book: buff.ly/7rqrXIR #DirectPayments #SocialCare

It's time for real, positive change in adult social care. By sharing your experiences, challenges, and ideas, you can help shape a stronger future. If you work in a care-related role, complete the adult social care workforce survey today 👉 bit.ly/3HjKU7g @skillsforcare.bsky.social

Good care and support doesn’t just happen. It starts with good leadership. But what does it mean for a service or organisation to be well-led? We looked at research evidence and spoke to people to find out. Explore all the evidence we gathered here buff.ly/ei1CjHl

What does is really mean to experience ‘well-led’ care and support❓ We worked with the Care Quality Commission to explore this question, drawing on the perspectives of people with lived experience and people working in health and social care. Explore our findings 👉 buff.ly/ei1CjHl

📢 Commissioners in adult social care @skillsforcare.bsky.social is hosting free, in-person exchange roadshows this September and October. Connect with people who draw on care and support, service providers, and fellow commissioners to explore how commissioning can work better. bit.ly/4mF1pts

We know people working in care and support want to do right by the people they support. But it isn’t easy to find the time and resources to learn and improve. That’s why we share tools and insights, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Sound useful? Sign up to our mailing list buff.ly/R1A5fxN

Community. Prevention. Independence. What other words in health and social care can carry a hidden meaning? This video challenges us to think more carefully about the words we choose so that everyone understands what is really being said. 👇 buff.ly/RNS1Kfq

📢 Help shape the future of adult social care Your insight on challenges like working conditions, training, and capacity will inform a government report shaping policy and support for adult social care. Take your chance to influence decisions on funding, staffing, and development bit.ly/3HjKU7g

⭐ Join a powerful new programme of free events and webinars to help you unlock the full potential of Direct Payments – and give more people real choice and control over their lives. ❓ The full programme and sign up links are coming soon – so watch this space!

The words used in social care don’t always mean what they seem... Sometimes they carry hidden messages. Think of words like: – Independent – Prevention – Community In our latest video, people unpack what’s really being said, and why it matters. buff.ly/RNS1Kfq

Every young person deserves the chance to live a good life. With the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them. But too many young people and their loved ones are let down as they prepare for adulthood. This report explores how to change this. bit.ly/435bLe2