Individual Service Funds

An individual Service (ISF) fund is another way that a person with can choose to access self-directed support.

An ISF is where the person chooses to have their personal budget held by an ISF provider/ broker of their choice from a list of providers accredited by Dorset Council.

This means that:

1. The person can decide how they want the money spent;
2. The service provider is accountable to the person; and
3. The service provider/broker is committed to spending the personal budget on the care and support services that are set out in the person’s Care and Support plan. An agreed amount of the money is spent on the management of the money and the support.

A person can choose to have some of their budget spent on getting services from other providers (Dorset Council recommend a minimum of 20% of a person’s care and support packages) although the budget is managed on their behalf by the main provider.

We have a list of ISF providers/brokers who have been approved by the Council to support and manage an Individual Service Fund on behalf of a person.

Dorset Council can arrange an Individual Service Fund for people who meet the National Eligibility Criteria. For those who do not meet the National Eligibility Criteria, there is advice and information available and details of our approved providers/brokers for Individual Service funds.