Self-directed support (direct payments)
Self-directed support in Scotland is part of the mainstream of social care delivery, targeted at empowering people and putting the principles of independent living into practice. It enables individuals to direct the care or support they need to live more independently at home and can be instead of, or in addition to, services that might be arranged by their local authority. These might be community care and children's services, housing support services and equipment and temporary adaptations.
The term direct payments is commonly used interchangeably with self-directed support. This historical definition focused on a system of delivery rather than the outcomes for individuals, and no longer fully explains the range of potential for its usage.
Most people use the money to buy support from a service provider or to employ a personal assistant (PA). Local support is available to help people set up and run their care packages and to provide training.
Through self-directed support, users are able to take responsibility for their own lives, from deciding who comes into their houses to provide support, to the priority given to different tasks in any given day, e.g. when they get up in the morning. Self-directed support helps increase the flexibility, choice and control people have over their lives, so that they can live more independently. The flexibility achieved is such that even those with the most complex and multiple needs can have self-directed support, using the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 to safeguard their interests.
Self-directed support can be provided through the allocation of a budget, sometimes from more than one funding source. This is sometimes called an individual budget because it is for the person's sole use and to arrange for their support needs.
The National Strategy was launched by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 23 November 2010. The Minister's letter to implementation partners was issued on 14 January 2011.
A draft Bill has also been published.
The Self-Directed Support Scotland website has more information.