Self Directed Support
Choosing the right support for you
About Self Directed
Support
Self Directed Support (SDS) is a different way of getting the
support you need. It lets you choose how your support is provided
and who will provide it.
You may have lots of questions about Self Directed Support. The
good news is you are not alone. Capability Scotland can give you as
much help as you need to understand what Self Directed Support
means for you.
How does Self Directed
Support work?
Your local authority decides how much money you need for your
support. This money is sometimes called your 'individual' or
'personal' budget.
You choose how you want to manage your money.
You can:
- Get the money to pay for your support
- Ask your local authority to give the money to an organisation,
like Capability Scotland, who you have chosen to provide your
support
- Ask the local authority to organise your support for you
You can talk to Capability Scotland about which of the ways
above would be best for you. You can use a mixture off all three if
you want to organise some of your support yourself and let the
local authority do the rest.
Who can get Self Directed
Support?
Most people who get a service from a local authority will be
able to get Self Directed Support. Your local authority can tell
you if you can get Self Directed Support.
What can I get with Self
Directed Support?
You can use Self Directed Support to keep getting the same
support you receive at the moment, or you may want to get different
support.
There are lots of ways you can use Self Directed Support. You
can get support to live in your own home, such as help with having
a bath or getting washed and dressed.
You can use it to help you go to college or work, or to do
activities you enjoy like going out with friends or taking part in
a sports club.
You could pay for person to help you take part in clubs or
classes in your area. You can also use Self Directed Support to
help you take a short-break or to help pay for special equipment
you need.
What is the
next step?
It's important that you take time to think about Self Directed
Supportand how it could change the way you get your support. There
are lots of people who can help you with this. If you currently
receive a service from us, your Capability Scotland support team
will be happy to talk about it with you. You can also talk it over
with your family, friends and social worker if you have one.
If you want Self Directed Support, Capability Scotland can help
you give your local authority all the information they need about
you. We'll give you as much or as little support as you want to
make sure your change to Self Directed Support goes smoothly.
Where can I find
more information?
You can contact Capability Scotland Advice Service
If you are
already with us, ou can ask your Capability Scotland support team
to tell you more about Self Directed Support.
You can look at the Self Directed Support section on the Capability Scotland
extranet (registration required- Capability Scotland's
customers, parents/carers, volunteers and staff only)
You can look at the Self
Directed Support Scotland website
