Our scheme fee model
Whilst we acknowledge the need for the more traditional approach to funding, we also embrace a more creative approach in supporting the journey an individual must take to achieve their goals.
Most funding for mental health community placements is based on the commissioning of a set number of hours in support of a planned intervention. We believe that there is still a need for this type of approach to funding when considering how to support someone maintaining their independence who has progressed to a higher degree of self-management. However, it is the route to achieving a higher degree of self-management and self-determination that requires a more creative approach to funding that supports the process or journey an individual must take to achieve their goals.
It's also true that the nature of supporting someone with a mental illness often requires the management of risk, which will involve unpredictability, fluctuation, and rapid change, with some mental illnesses operating in cycles of relapse and recovery.
“Recovery can't happen without taking positive risks - and that's where SIL can offer assurance where others can't.”
SIL team member
To deliver support which facilitates the recovery process, it’s necessary to have Recovery Support Workers available and accessible throughout the day. This isn’t to say they will be continually engaging in planned activity, but rather to ensure there is sufficient skill and knowledge available to support and guide each individual as and when required. It’s equally important not to be overly prescriptive about the timing of planned support, for example, it may be more productive to delay a discussion or key-work session by a few hours following a difficult therapy session.
Fee banding
To ensure we’re able to provide transparency around our fee structure, and to evidence a clear plan and purpose for each individual placement, we have developed our own fee banding tool. This tool links directly to an individual’s pre-admission assessment and provides both the background to an area of need as well as a broad intervention plan.
The pre-admission assessment is used to gather a current and historical context measured against 11 ‘recovery outcome areas’. This is achieved through a comprehensive review of all background reports, a discussion with the current care team and relevant clinicians, and a meeting directly with the client. This process is managed by our Quality and Practice Team and ensures that we draw from a broad range of experienced and qualified mental health practitioners that includes Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Registered Mental Health Nurses.