Self Directed Support

​On 1st April 2014 a new law came into force which requires local authorities to offer more choices in the way social care and support is provided. It is called the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.  SDS is aimed at helping people to live their lives as independently as possible. As the expert in their own life, individuals should be able to direct their own care money to pay for the services that they think will benefit them the most. The concept is based on choice and control which involves responsibility and personalisation.
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The act requires local authorities to offer four choices for social care and support services:

Option 1 - Direct payment.
Option 2 - Direct your available support using a 3rd party. eg: a brokerage service.
Option 3 - The local authority arrange support on your behalf.
Option 4 - Mix of options.

These choices are a way for individuals, with assistance, to work with social work, other organisation, professionals and others with interest, to assemble a care package that suit the individual's needs.

Some ways SDS can benefit you.

• Being supported to live at home.
• Compiling a personalised support plan.
• Accessing community life and facilities eg: sports, hobbies, clubs, groups and cafes.
• Short breaks and respite.
• Support with forms (welfare, housing etc)
• Purchasing equipment and adaptions for your home to enable you to live independently.
• Employing a person as a Personal Assistant.

What we can help with.

• We actively listen to the individual
• Helping the individual plan, identify and implement informed choices surrounding their support needs and requirements.
• Assistance with SDS assessments.
• Professional Advocacy.
• Keeping an eye on what is happening and reviewing the outcomes.
• Full management of budget, income and resources
• Assistance with all pay, contractual and employment issues including pension enrollment and liaising with HMRC.

Support Brokerage

A Support Broker assists in the coordination and arrangements of the support required to meet an individuals outcomes identified in their support plan. In short support brokerage is about getting what you want using a third party advice and information brokerage service.
​We can signpost you to a Support Brokerage service, that includes information and professional advocacy which is local, accessible and free of charge. You can have the expectation and confidence that the Support Brokers have the knowledge, skills and ability to fully focus on your personal outcomes, providing maximum choice and control without employer responsibilities.

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1. being_a_personal_assistant_employer .pdf
File Size:	291 kb
File Type:	pdf

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2. direct_payments_factsheet 3. pdf
File Size:	284 kb
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3. support_planning. pdf
File Size:	270 kb
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4. what_is_independent_living.pdf
File Size:	270 kb
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5. sds_factsheet.pdf
File Size:	268 kb
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6. your_support_your_choice_sdss_april2019 .pdf
File Size:	7434 kb
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7. capacity_and_sds .pdf
File Size:	276 kb
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Further Information on the following can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant heading to the left:

1. Being a Personal Assistant employer
2. Direct Payments
3. Support Planning
4. What is independent living
5. SDS Fact sheet
6. Your support your choice
7. Capacity and SDS

Further information...

How does SDS work?

What does SDS Mean for individuals?

How to access SDS and where to start

What does a good conversation look like?

What is an outcome?

What is Independent Support and how can it work for you?

What is an assessment?

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Please see the link below for a handbook on being a Personal Assistant.
​Personal Assistant Handbook