Explaining about … individual budgets and self‐directed support

As life expectancy continues to rise and people's expectations of the services they receive also increases, it has become apparent that the current social care system needs a dramatic overhaul. In 2003, In Control recognised this need for fundamental changes to the system and launched its first pilot of individual budgets and the concept of self‐directed support. In our first article, Louise Close explains how these early ideas have developed into a clear and common purpose for the future of social care in this country.