Individual Service Funds

An Individual Service Fund (ISF) operates in a very similar way to a Direct Payment, with one important difference, an organisation holds the Personal Budget on behalf of the Individual and helps them to develop their individualised Support Plan. The organisation is known as an ISF holder.

The ISF holder then manages the support and activity needed to deliver the plan, through a combination of direct provision and subcontracting. This includes all financial aspects including using the ISF to pay invoices for services provided, purchasing items of equipment, and paying the cost of social and community-based activities that have been identified in the plan.

Somerset Council does not currently have a developed ISF offer but is working with other Local Authorities to explore how we can offer an ISF as an option to our clients who may not have capacity to manage their Direct Payment and do not have a family member or responsible person to support them to do this.

In the meantime, Somerset Council will be developing an offer for enhanced support for people who wish to receive a Direct Payment but who might need some additional support. The same criteria for Direct Payments would apply - the client would need to have capacity or have a responsible person to work with them.

Please link with Adult Social Care (ASC) Commissioners (or your line manager) if you would like to find out more about local developments in this area.