What is Self Directed Support (SDS)?
SDS principles and duties are outlined under the provisions of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. The Act outlines how a support plan is put into action so that children, adults and their guardians or carers receive the help they need to meet agreed personal outcomes.
Local authorities have a duty to assess children under Sections 22 and 23 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.
SDS applies across all ages and user groups, and helps supported people and carers to make informed choices – based on their unique needs and circumstances – on what their support looks like and to have choice and control over how that support is arranged, managed and delivered.
SDS is everything that is available to your child that helps them live their life. That includes how they help themselves, support from their family, community facilities, advice, information, equipment as well as targeted services and support. All of these are parts of SDS and most children will not need an individual budget, as these supports already help meet their needs.
Some children have critical or substantial needs and require additional support to ensure that they have maximum choice and control in their lives. For this small number of people, an individual budget may be needed as one part of the wider everything and anything that makes up SDS.
How can my child be considered for an individual budget?
To be considered for an individual budget, a referral needs to be made to the Locality Social Work Office for your area, and an assessment needs to be undertaken. If the assessment identifies that your child has unmet critical or substantial support need that can’t be met from existing resources or supports, they may be eligible for an individual budget.
If an individual budget is agreed, an indicative budget for your child will be proposed.
How the budget is used, will focus upon achieving good outcomes for your child. A Costed Support Pan will be undertaken with you and your child to determine how your child’s budget is utilised to meet these outcomes. There are options to receive a Direct Payment to source your own support and manage the budget; for families or the local authority to source support and for the local authority to manage the budget on their behalf; or a combination of these options.
What if my child doesn’t get a budget or they don’t have eligible needs?
If your child’s assessment shows they don’t qualify for an individual budget, it might still highlight some unmet needs. These needs can often be addressed in other ways, especially if the risks are moderate or low rather than severe. In such cases, your Social Worker or Support Worker can guide you to various support and resources available in North Lanarkshire to help.
For more information about SDS, please contact the relevant Locality Social Work office for your area.
Find out more about self directed support.
