1 Assessing the Role of Increasing Choice in English Social Care Services Martin Stevens 1 , Caroline Glendinning 2 , Sally Jacobs 3 , Nicola Moran 2 , David Challis 3 , Jill Manthorpe 1 , José-Luis Fernandez 4 , Karen Jones 5 , Martin Knapp 4 , Ann Netten 5 and Mark Wilberforce 3 1. “oĐial Caƌe WoƌkfoƌĐe ‘eseaƌĐh UŶit, KiŶgs College LoŶdoŶ. Eŵail: martin.stevens@kcl.ac.uk 2. Social Policy Research Unit, University of York 3. Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Manchester 4. Personal Social Services Research Unit, London School of Economics 5. Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent Corresponding Author Martin Stevens “oĐial Caƌe WoƌkfoƌĐe ‘eseaƌĐh UŶit, KiŶgs College LoŶdoŶ, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS. martin.stevens@kcl.ac.uk Citation: Stevens, M., Glendinning, C., Jacobs, S., Moran, N., Challis, D., Manthorpe, J., Fernández, J- L., Jones, K., KŶapp, M., NetteŶ, A., WilďeƌfoƌĐe, M. ;ϮϬϭϭͿ AssessiŶg the ƌole of iŶĐƌeasiŶg ĐhoiĐe iŶ EŶglish soĐial Đaƌe seƌǀiĐes, JouƌŶal of “oĐial PoliĐLJ. ϰϬ;ϮͿ, Ϯϱϳ–274. doi:10.1017/S004727941000111X Abstract This article aims to explore the concept of choice in public service policy in England, illustrated through findings of the Individual Budgets (IB) evaluation. The evaluation tested the impact of IBs as a mechanism to increase choice of access to and commissioning of social care services around the individual through a randomised trial and explored the experiences and perspectives of key groups through a large set of interviews. The article presents a re-examination of these interview data, usiŶg thƌee aŶtagoŶisŵs of ĐhoiĐe proposed in the literature - choice and power relations; choice and equity; and choice and the public nature of decisions - as organising themes. The randomised trial found that IB holders perceived they had more control over their lives and appreciated the extra choice over use of services, albeit with variations by user group. However, problems of power relations, equity and the constraints implied by the public nature of decision-making were complicating and limiting factors in producing the benefits envisaged. The focus on choice in policy, especially as implemented by IBs, emphasises an individualistic approach. The findings suggest that addressing broader issues relating to power, equity and an understanding of the public nature of choice will be of value in realising more of the benefits of the policy. Key words: personalisation, social care, research, self-directed support