CSIP report on High Impact Changes for Health and Social Care

In March 2008, David Behan, Director General of Social Care launched the Care Services Improvement Partnership’s (CSIP) publication on the High Impact Changes for Health and Social Care.

This is a collection of organisational initiatives, which aim to change health and social care services and the lives of people who use them. In the White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, the government set out seven positive outcomes for people using health and social care services, which were identified following a major consultation exercise on the views of service users and carers across the country.

The report uses practical examples to illustrate how these principles can be made a reality. The launch event was an opportunity to learn about the High Impact Changes and hear about the successes that different services have achieved in implementing these in their areas.

We are thrilled that The Carers Resource in Harrogate and Craven, a Princess Royal Trust for Carers network member, is highlighted as an example of good practice under the provision of information theme, for their work in identifying and supporting carers and its impact on both carers and the wider community. The report notes that the Carers Resource finds over £1m per annum of previously unclaimed benefits for carers and their families, reducing unnecessary hardship.

David Behan, Director General for Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships commented: "These High Impact Changes provide an evidence base for organisations delivering this agenda. This guide includes examples of effective partnerships between staff, service users and carers and how we can change practice in ways that will make a genuine difference to people's lives and experience and to the working lives of staff.

"Offering real choice and putting people in control of their services requires significant cultural change, organisational support and leadership. Some of the changes are small, some very large but all have the impact of improving people's lives."

The Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) was created in 2005 by the integration of a number of initiatives supporting the development of services to help improve people’s lives. CSIP aims to achieve this by supporting the implementation of national policy for local benefit, working with communities, systems and organisations that are engaged with the health and social care needs of groups including: people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, older people,children, as well as the families, carers and supporters of these groups.

Further information

View the full report on the CSIP website: CSIP Report: High Impact Changes for Health and Social Care

View the Carers Resource case study presentation:

In 2006 the CSIP developed 10 high-impact changes for mental health services