Review of the Independent Living Funds
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned a review of the Independent Living Funds (ILFs) from independent consultants, Melanie Henwood and Bob Hudson, in June 2006. Their report was published in March 2007.
The report
Information about the report
The Independent Living Funds (ILFs) provide financial support for severely disabled people to enable them to live independently in their own homes. The Government acknowledges the hugely important work the ILFs do and greatly appreciates the commitment and professionalism of the ILFs’ Trustees and staff.
From time to time the government reviews all non-departmental public bodies (such as the ILFs), following guidelines set by the Cabinet Office. The terms of reference were those required by the ‘light touch’ guidance on the Cabinet Office website (Chapter 9: Reviewing a Public Body).
The review drew together evidence gathered from a range of sources including written submissions from individuals and organisations, consultation meetings held across the UK with ILF service users and their families, and from a series of interviews with national stakeholders including the chairman of the Trustees and the chief executive.
The report makes 68 recommendations. Some suggest ways of improving the workings of the Funds. Some would extend their scope. The reviewers concluded that the Funds should remain in their present form at least until 2009/10.
The reviewers noted the way in which social care practice is developing and, in particular, the Individual Budget Pilots (which the ILFs are part of). The reviewers have recommended that in the longer term the ILFs should be integrated within a system of personalised budgets. Since the government is piloting Individual Budgets, these recommendations must be subject to consideration in the context of the government’s decision on funding social care in the long-term.
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, has undertaken to publish her initial response by the summer. In the meantime she has written to all ILF customers reassuring them their needs will be forefront in any decisions about future changes.
Copies of the report
You can get a printed copy of the report or order a Braille version from:
Jane Cocking
Department for Work and Pensions
The Adelphi
1- 11 John Adam
Street
London
WC2N 6HT
Phone 0845 601 8815
