Carr Gomm, our National Involvement Group and the Community Contacts project have shared with the Scottish Parliament whether Self-Directed Support Legislation (SDS) has realised its aims.
SDS aims to give people as much choice and control as they want about how their support is organised, managed, and delivered. It is for people of all ages who are eligible for social care and support from their local authority.
10 years on, the Scottish Parliament is now asking people who use or deliver SDS whether it has achieved this aim.
From our responses, the following themes emerged:
Good quality, person-centred support from Carr Gomm has been and continues to be in place despite the legislation. Carr Gomm staff members and people who are part of the Involvement Group noted that they had experienced no difference in the choice, control and quality of support since before and after the SDS legislation.
“People were able to access person-centred approaches; the assistance to be involved in decisions about their support, to shape their plans and to direct payments prior to the SDS legislation. It is our opinion that the legislation has not enhanced these approaches and that we do not see material change to approaches of good support provision because of the legislation.”
Carr Gomm’s response.
However, it is important that the Rights and Principles of SDS are now enshrined in law, as a member of the Involvement Group noted. The legislation also helps people to navigate the SDS assessment process.
“The SDS law has made a difference to me. To know my rights are there in law is really important to me.”
National Involvement Group response.
For SDS to work we need:
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- To listen to the experienced voices of good providers who should be part of finding good solutions as an equal partner.
- To have a whole system view and the importance of key policy areas and legislation linking up.
- To implement ethical, strategic commissioning as a method of ensuring appropriate social care for people and communities.
- To properly resource social work colleagues, commissioners, and social care workers to make wise decisions.
“A level social care playing field is urgently needed. People often don’t even know that they are entitled to independent advice and support for SDS, or the range of support that is available for them – including the four SDS Options.”
Community Contacts Response
Read the full reports on our website.
National Carr Gomm Involvement Group Response