The limits of personalisation.

Purpose -- The paper's aim is to explain the development of the concept of personalisation and its dependence upon prior innovations such as independent living, person-centred planning and individual budgets and explore its meaning, limitations and future prospects. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper takes the form of an analytical and historical review of ideas that have been important in the recent history of public policy for people with learning disabilities. Findings -- People with learning disabilities, along with other disabled people, have been engaged in a struggle to achieve full citizenship. The recent reforms that go by the name of "personalisation" may mark an important stage in the development of a fairer system, but on their own they will be insufficient to achieve that objective. Originality/value -- Personalisation is placed, with all its strengths and limitations, within the wider context of the development of policies for people with learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]