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Journal ArticleDOI

The personalisation agenda: the case of the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme

25 Jan 2018-International Review of Sociology (Routledge)-Vol. 28, Iss: 1, pp 20-34
TL;DR: In 2013, Australia launched a major disability scheme aiming to give participants greater choice and control over services as mentioned in this paper, which is based on the international trend towards personalisation, as part of the International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks.
Abstract: As part of the international trend towards personalisation, in 2013 Australia launched a major disability scheme aiming to give participants greater choice and control over services. The scheme aim...
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A meta-review of the evidence on personalisation and inequality and a theoretical framework for understanding why this is occurring is provided, using concepts drawn from Bourdieu.
Abstract: Personalisation is a growing international policy paradigm that aims to create both improved outcomes for individuals, and reduce fiscal pressures on government, by giving greater choice and control to citizens accessing social services. In personalisation schemes, individuals purchase services from a ‘service market’ using individual budgets or vouchers given to them by governments. Personalisation schemes have grown in areas such as disability and aged care across Europe, the UK and Australia. There is a wealth of evidence in public health and health care that demonstrates that practically all forms of social services, programs and interventions produce unequal benefit depending on socio-economic position. Research has found that skills required to successfully negotiate service systems leads to disproportionate benefit to the ‘middle class. With an unprecedented emphasis on individual skills, personalisation has even greater potential to widen and entrench social inequalities. Despite the increase in numbers of people now accessing services through such schemes, there has been no examination of how different social groups benefit from these schemes, how this widens and entrenches social inequities, and – in turn – what can be done to mitigate this. This article presents a meta-review of the evidence on personalisation and inequality. A qualitative meta-analysis was undertaking of existing research into personalisation schemes in social services to identify whether and how such schemes are impacting different socio-economic groups. No research was identified which seeks to understand the impact of personalisation schemes on inequality. However, a number of ‘proxies’ for social class were identified, such as education, income, and employment, which had a bearing on outcome. We provide a theoretical framework for understanding why this is occurring, using concepts drawn from Bourdieu. Personalisation schemes are likely to be entrenching, and potentially expanding, social inequalities. More attention needs to be given to this aspect of personal budgets by policymakers and researchers.

18 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Malbon et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed a public service research group at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to investigate the impact of social impact on public service performance.
Abstract: Public Service Research Group, University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Correspondence Eleanor Malbon, Public Service Research Group, University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Email: eleanor.malbon@unsw.edu.au Funding information Australian and New Zealand School of Government; National Health and Medical Research Council

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on organisational and interface changes and challenges following the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, and the adaptive strategies of organisations to provide individualised and coordinated supports.
Abstract: Disability support is often provided at the interface with other human services such as health, education, and employment agencies. This can present many organisational problems for people receiving support and the organisations that provide it. Individualised funding is one attempt to ease problems of fragmentation and unmet needs, but perversely, it introduces further interface complexities as organisations consider how to manage their service provision and financial structures. Drawing on interviews with 28 managers, the focus in this paper is on organisational and interface changes and challenges following the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, and the adaptive strategies of organisations to provide individualised and coordinated supports. The three themes derived from the thematic analysis, adopting a commercial mindset, finding a business niche, and working across complex interfaces, epitomise the benefits, constraints, and consequences of new market mechanisms for the delivery of supports, and how organisations are adjusting to a more commercial-orientated sector while also creatively negotiating multiple funding and governance systems. The findings contribute to understandings of how individualisation is creating new dynamics of local disability support governance and collaboration in service provision.

16 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Further shifts towards standardised planning and functional assessment may be disadvantageous for adults with intellectual disabilities for whom support needs are dependent on social and contextual factors, and exercise of choice on support for decision making.
Abstract: Background: Dedifferentiated policy treats adults with intellectual disabilities as part of the larger group of people with disabilities The implications of the dedifferentiated National Disabilit

16 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The market distribution of medical care is a primitive and historically outdated social form, and any return to it would further exaggerate the maldistribution of medical resources.

2,653 citations

MonographDOI
13 Feb 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the role of politicians and the public in the process of land-use development megaprojects and suggest practical solutions drawing on theory and scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations and five continents.
Abstract: Promoters of multi-billion dollar land-use development megaprojects systematically misinform parliaments, the public and the media in order to get them approved and built This book not only explores these issues, but suggests practical solutions drawing on theory and scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations and five continents It is of interest to students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and concerned citizens

2,044 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

1,004 citations


"The personalisation agenda: the cas..." refers background or result in this paper

  • ...usage, whereby those who are more disadvantaged are less likely to access services or support and receive less benefit when they do (Hart, 1975; McLean, Sutton, & Guthrie, 2006)....

    [...]

  • ...This is consistent with the literature on health service usage, whereby those who are more disadvantaged are less likely to access services or support and receive less benefit when they do (Hart, 1975; McLean, Sutton, & Guthrie, 2006)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the whole-of-government movement as a reaction to the negative effects of New Public Management reforms such as structural devolution, single-purpose organizations, and performance management.
Abstract: In this article, the authors discuss “whole-of-government” initiatives as a reaction to the negative effects of New Public Management reforms such as structural devolution, “single-purpose organizations,” and performance management but also as a reaction to a more insecure world. The authors examine what is meant by a “whole-of-government” approach and explore how this concept might be interpreted in analytical terms. The structural approach is contrasted with a cultural perspective and a myth-based perspective. Finally, results, experiences, and lessons from the whole-of-government movement are discussed.

853 citations


"The personalisation agenda: the cas..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The changes to funding in personalisation schemes have significant implications for accountability systems and structures (Christensen, 2016; Christensen & Laegreid, 2007)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a detailed examination of the phenomenon of megaprojects and risk and suggest practical solutions drawing on theory and hard, scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations that illustrate the book.
Abstract: Back cover text: Megaprojects and Risk provides the first detailed examination of the phenomenon of megaprojects. It is a fascinating account of how the promoters of multibillion-dollar megaprojects systematically and self-servingly misinform parliaments, the public and the media in order to get projects approved and built. It shows, in unusual depth, how the formula for approval is an unhealthy cocktail of underestimated costs, overestimated revenues, undervalued environmental impacts and overvalued economic development effects. This results in projects that are extremely risky, but where the risk is concealed from MPs, taxpayers and investors. The authors not only explore the problems but also suggest practical solutions drawing on theory and hard, scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations that illustrate the book. Accessibly written, it will be essential reading in its field for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians, journalists and interested citizens.

717 citations