The network supports the introduction of personal budgets, which the government wants to make much more readily available to people with ongoing mental health, physical health and social care needs. 

But it believes there are important barriers that will need to be addressed before personal budgets can be implemented successfully.  

The report, based on focus group and survey evidence, says many service users recognise that personal budgets could provide a solution to the frustrations they have in getting more control over their care.  

But they are not convinced that, on their own, personal budgets will change what they see as "deeply engrained clinical, organisational and managerial cultures."