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Using Individual Service Funds (ISFs) to Improve Access to Self-Directed Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Participatory Realist Review

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Title: Using Individual Service Funds (ISFs) to Improve Access to Self-Directed Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Participatory Realist Review
Language: English
Authors: Elizabeth Croot (ORCID 0000-0002-3666-6264), Alice Dunning, Andrew Booth (ORCID 0000-0003-4808-3880), Clare Tarling
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2025 38(6).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Adults, Intellectual Disability, Foreign Countries, Financial Support, Programs, Theories, Self Help Programs, Models, Self Determination
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70148
ISSN: 1360-2322
1468-3148
Abstract: Background: Individual service funds (ISFs) in England aim to provide self-directed support without the challenge of procuring support and managing a budget. However, few local authorities offer ISFs and some do not offer more choice and control than a council-managed budget. Methods: This participatory realist review followed RAMESES publication standards. We developed and refined theories using published and grey literature, expert stakeholders and personal narratives (written and video case studies). Results: We identified eight initial programme theories, forming a programme theory explaining how ISFs generate successful outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities. These included: involvement in support planning; accessible budget information; flexible use of budgets; outcome-focused support planning; 'live' support plans; non-traditional support; positive risk management and trusting relationships. Conclusion: Our programme theory elucidates causal pathways for successful ISF outcomes, connecting mechanisms to contextual factors. This guides ISF development and implementation and helps adults with intellectual disabilities make informed decisions about ISFs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493990
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Using Individual Service Funds (ISFs) to Improve Access to Self-Directed Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Participatory Realist Review
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elizabeth+Croot%22">Elizabeth Croot</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3666-6264">0000-0002-3666-6264</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alice+Dunning%22">Alice Dunning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Andrew+Booth%22">Andrew Booth</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4808-3880">0000-0003-4808-3880</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Clare+Tarling%22">Clare Tarling</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Intellectual+Disabilities%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2025 38(6).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 19
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intellectual+Disability%22">Intellectual Disability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Financial+Support%22">Financial Support</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Programs%22">Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Theories%22">Theories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Help+Programs%22">Self Help Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Models%22">Models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Determination%22">Self Determination</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28England%29%22">United Kingdom (England)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/jar.70148
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  Data: 1360-2322<br />1468-3148
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Individual service funds (ISFs) in England aim to provide self-directed support without the challenge of procuring support and managing a budget. However, few local authorities offer ISFs and some do not offer more choice and control than a council-managed budget. Methods: This participatory realist review followed RAMESES publication standards. We developed and refined theories using published and grey literature, expert stakeholders and personal narratives (written and video case studies). Results: We identified eight initial programme theories, forming a programme theory explaining how ISFs generate successful outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities. These included: involvement in support planning; accessible budget information; flexible use of budgets; outcome-focused support planning; 'live' support plans; non-traditional support; positive risk management and trusting relationships. Conclusion: Our programme theory elucidates causal pathways for successful ISF outcomes, connecting mechanisms to contextual factors. This guides ISF development and implementation and helps adults with intellectual disabilities make informed decisions about ISFs.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1493990
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        Value: 10.1111/jar.70148
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 19
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      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intellectual Disability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Financial Support
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      – SubjectFull: Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Theories
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      – SubjectFull: Self Help Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Models
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      – SubjectFull: Self Determination
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (England)
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      – TitleFull: Using Individual Service Funds (ISFs) to Improve Access to Self-Directed Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Participatory Realist Review
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              Y: 2025
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