Efficiency, choice and control in social care commissioning

Publicly-funded social care providers are under significant pressure as a consequence of an ageing population, a tight financial climate, and demands for greater quality and dignity in care. Personal budgets have been advocated as a potential solution. However, the implications of personal budgets on commissioning and market development are largely unexplored. This article looks at new approaches being adopted by English local authorities to reconcile tensions between the efficiency and personalization agendas, and to counter new transaction costs. © 2012 Copyright CIPFA.