Isle of Wight Council is committed to offer people with learning disabilities and people with mental health needs a range of social care services and supports. This includes in home support, day opportunities, supported living and residential care. Some services (supports) are commissioned by the council on people’s behalf others are supported through individualised funding routes.
The challenge
Delivering high-quality, person-centred services requires ongoing reflection on how to:
- Listen to and engage with people (individual planning),
- Understand the style and range of services wanted (developing the market), and
- Ensure those services are delivered (provision).
It also involves understanding how the demand for services evolves to reflect changing populations and expectations, measuring the impact of services and ensuring that money is spent wisely.
Approach
As part of this continued development, the council has asked us to support a range of interconnected pieces of work on individual planning and service development.
Building on phase one, a prior evidence-based project focused on individual planning and local service spending, together we are embarking on an 18-month programme starting January 2026.
This initiative will:
- Reflect on service styles that will meet the needs and preferences of people and their families. We anticipate this will include reflecting on how services work, their size and the communities they serve.
- Share information and stories about what great support looks like.
- Collaborate with existing and, we anticipate, new providers to ensure that we are offering the range and style of services needed now and into the future.
- Enhance individual planning, developing approaches and plans to better understand people’s aspirations and communities.
- Develop brokerage that building on people’s experiences and aspirations.
Impact
This collaborative approach is designed to ensure that services on the Isle of Wight are:
- More responsive to individual needs.
- Better aligned with community values.
- Sustainable and impactful over time.
By investing in inclusive planning and thoughtful service development, the Isle of Wight Council is setting a strong foundation for a more person-centred and future-ready social care system.
