# Co-production of research derived actionable resources for the delivery of Individual Service Funds (EQUALD study): Protocol

## TL;DR

This study aims to create and test resources to help more adults with learning disabilities access and benefit from Individual Service Funds.

## Contribution

The study introduces co-produced actionable resources to improve the delivery and uptake of Individual Service Funds.

## Key findings

- Co-produced resources will support the development and delivery of Individual Service Funds.
- Resources will be user-tested with three local authorities to ensure effectiveness.
- Final resources will be freely available online to promote wider adoption.

## Abstract

Adults with a learning disability who receive social care are legally entitled to a personal budget. Personal budgets were introduced to promote choice and control in support. Individual Service Funds were introduced as a flexible way that personal budgets can be managed by a provider while maintaining choice and control for the individual. Individual Service Funds have been shown to improve quality of life for individuals and efficiency in support. Despite this, only 20% of local authorities offer them to adults with a learning disability, demonstrating the need for resources to be developed to support their delivery. This protocol described a co-production study with key stakeholders to develop and refine Individual Service Fund resources. Our primary aim is to co-produce two actionable resources: to support development, delivery, consistency, and sustained provision of ISFs; and to support uptake and optimal use of ISFs by recipients. We also aim to user-test and evaluate these resources with three Local Authorities. The result of this study will be two resources that will support the uptake of Individual Service Funds for adults with a learning disability that will be freely available online.