Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-15

Executive Summary

This 'Data under Development' Statistics Release presents the latest client and expenditure figures for Self-directed Support ( SDS). SDS was introduced in Scotland on 1 ^st April 2014 following the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. The introduction of SDS means that everyone eligible for social care and support has the right to choice, control and flexibility to meet their personal outcomes. Since 1 ^st April 2014, local authorities have been required to offer people who are eligible for social care a range of choices over how they receive their social care services and support.

The data relates to the first year of implementation of SDS (2014-15), the first time for which data on SDS has been collected and analysed as part of the Social Care Survey. The introduction of SDS has resulted in changes to the way that Social Care information is recorded across Scotland; due to the changes required in data recording systems, the 2014-15 data on SDS for many local authorities remains incomplete. The results presented here should be interpreted with this in mind.

Key findings

Implementation

• At least 35,000 social care clients made an informed choice regarding their services and support in 2014-15.
• The best estimate of an implementation rate suggests that clients who made a choice represented 20% of all social care clients in 2014-15.
• The implementation rate was higher amongst younger clients (aged under 65) than amongst older clients (aged 65+).

Client Analysis

• The best estimate of the breakdown of SDS option choices in 2014-15 is: 13% Option 1; 9% Option 2; 75% Option 3; and 3% Option 4.
• The vast majority (88%) of clients aged 65+ chose Option 3, whereas under 65s were relatively more likely to choose Option 1 or Option 2.

Expenditure

• At least £250m of expenditure was budgeted for social care clients who had made a choice regarding their services and support in 2014-15.
• On average, Option 3 care packages were of a lower value than Option 1 or Option 2 packages.