Enablers and barriers in adopting a reablement model of domiciliary care

Purpose
This paper explores the effectiveness of reablement as an outcome-focussed commissioning model within the English domiciliary care market from the perspective of two private domiciliary care agency (PDCA) managers/owners within one Local Authority (LA) in the North West of England. Specifically, it focusses on owner/managers’ perceived ability to effect change from a dependency to a reablement model within the English domiciliary care market.

Design/ methodology/ approach
Qualitative interviews with 2 contrasting owners/managers of PDCAs within one LA in the North West of England were carried out. Explorative analysis followed a constructionist grounded theory methodology.

Findings
Findings revealed how two main factors interacted to effect change from a dependency model to a reablement model of domiciliary care: internal organisational structure and individual emotional investment of the owners/managers. Additionally, fiscal and external organisational systems impact on these drivers, and are perceived to act as potential barriers to the adoption of a reablement model of domiciliary care by PDCAs.

Originality/value
Although based on only two idiographic accounts, the findings shed light on the policy and practice of commissioning models of domiciliary care within England and suggest further studies in this area of practice.