The Self Directed Support Bill (SDS), provides you with more choice and control over how you receive your care and support services.
More and more people are looking at taking control of their own support arrangements and more options are now becoming widely available through the implementation of the Self Directed Support Bill 2013.
The SDS Bill defines SDS in terms of four options that councils will have a duty to offer.
What is Self-Directed Support?
Self-Directed Support (SDS) allows you to choose how your support is provided, giving you and your family greater flexibility, choice and control over your support.
What about Personalisation, is this the same thing?
Personalisation means that people are actively involved in shaping and selecting services they receive.
What are my Self-Directed Support options?
There are four main ways that your SDS individual (or personal) budget can be used:
- Direct Payments
A payment to allow you to arrange support to meet your agreed support plan outcomes. AdigoCare can for example provide home care with dedicated Care Workers. - Individual Service Fund
Where the council or a chosen provider such as AdigoCare will hold the budget but you are in charge of how it’s spent. - Local Authority ‘arranged’ support
The council arranges support on your behalf to meet your support plan outcomes. AdigoCare can also provide this more traditional form of service delivery as well. - A combination
A combination of the above options can also be used if you feel this provides the best solution.
So is Self-Directed Support Different from Directs Payments?
Direct Payments have been around since the year 2003 and will continue to be Option 1 of the 4 SDS options. Direct Payments, are payments for the direct purchase of support.
The main change with SDS is that you will know after your assessment, how much your individual budget is and you’ll be supported to focus on your desired outcomes, not just your basic needs.
Why would I want Self Directed Support?
SDS can give you more choice and control over the decisions that affect your life. For example, many people need help to get out of bed in the morning, new choices mean you can arrange for someone to come in at the times that suit you and not when the local authority designate.
SDS gives people more control over the budget spent on their support. If you would like further information about SDS you can access the Scottish government website on: www.selfdirectedsupportscotland.org.uk
Here are some useful SDS case study videos also provided by Self Directed Support Scotland. You’ll be able to see what the Self Directed Support strategy has done for others.
Am I eligible for Self Directed Support?
Everyone is eligible for Self Directed Support and your council has a duty to offer an option to you.
If you are new to receiving social care and support, your council has to offer you Self Directed Support. It will be up to the council to decide when existing customers are transferred to SDS.
The council will support a ‘direct payment option’ if it is satisfied that you will be able to manage it. Your council will be able to tell you more about managing payments and AdigoCare are here locally to help on all of the aspects of Self Directed Support Services.
What can I use Self Directed Support for?
SDS can be used to arrange the services that the council has assessed you as needing.
Your Self Directed Support can be used in a number of ways, including:
- Receive help at home for personal care and practical help
- Support in getting out and about in the community
- Help with going to college, continue employment or getting a job
- Keeping up hobbies and interests or local classes
- Volunteering
- Mobility equipment and home adaptions
- Respite care
Book a free home care assessment
If you would like to book an assessment, have a chat, or receive more information about our home visits you can contact your local AdigoCare team to discuss your requirements at a time that suits you