What is Self-directed Support (SDS) ?
What can you use Self-directed Support for?
The council decides how much funding you’ll receive. You then choose how to spend it on the agreed support.
You can choose one of these four options for how your support is provided.
Some useful links to more information
Self-directed Support (SDS) is an approach to social care that puts the person at the centre of the support planning process. It enables people, carers and families to make informed choices about their social care support and how it is delivered.
The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 ensures that when discharging their duty to support people in need, local authorities do so in a way which offers the person choice, control and flexibility to determine how they wish to receive support.
It means that anyone (adult or child) being assessed for care and support via the local authority must be offered more choice about how they receive support.
You can now choose from 4 different ways of getting support, these are called ‘SDS options’.
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​Self-directed Support can be used in many ways. You can get support to live in your own home, such as help with meal preparation, medication and personal hygiene.
Out of the home, SDS could support you to go to college, to continue in employment or support you to start a job, or to enjoy leisure pursuits. You might be able to arrange support to help you attend local classes, go swimming, or be a volunteer helping others. SDS could also be used to pay for a short break (respite) or for equipment and temporary adaptations.
You can choose whether you would prefer to get support from a service provider such as a voluntary organisation or care agency, or by employing your own Personal Assistants (PA's), or a combination of both
Option 1
“I get the money to spend on the support I choose.”
The council gives you the money to arrange and pay for your support. This is called a direct payment. You can employ a personal assistant or buy services from a support provider.
Option 2
“I tell the council what to spend the money on.”
You choose how the money is spent. The council or your support provider manages the money for you.
Option 3
“I let the council decide how to spend the money.”
You ask the council to choose and arrange the support that it thinks is right for you. The council manages the money.
Option 4
“A mix of Options 1, 2 & 3”
You choose more than one of the 3 options.
Source of useful information about SDS including the PA Programme Board​.
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information for PA's about employment, training, your health & wellbeing, news and events as well as exclusive offers available only to members.
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​The legislation that underpins Self-Directed Support.
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​Supporting unpaid carers, those recovering from mental ill-health, minority communities, older people, the local Third Sector, and volunteers.
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Member led organisation working with local services and organisations to improve access, enhance experiences, and help people with disabilities to live independently with the support they need.
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