Having discovered the bit in Local Authority Assurance reports about direct payments, I was intreagued to find out what they said.

This is my take. Hope you find it helpful.

I left out the pilot sites as they clearly added the focus on direct payments after these. I also ignored uptake analysis.

Hmm, we tried total place in Doncaster in 2003-6, it was a major upheaval organsationally and across partners in my experience @tlap.bsky.social not sure benefits anticipated played out

Beaming smiles, lovely

Befriender, not befiender, thats something else!

I know some dont like the term but mums 'befiender' (paid, its locally used terminology) has been critical and transformational, together with her two PA's, not rich by any means but all paid ftom mums own resources, no state aid. Values based recruitment got right people.

Is it in the possesive?

Overt evening out of the power dynamics on the mission board, even membership of citizens to 'doers/overseers/those akready in power' ? might be a start

Couldn't agree more Neil, even the word 'respite' frames peoples thinking of what is and is not possible

Hi Angela...made it!