Self-directed Support Strategy 2010-2020: Implementation Plan 2016-2018

Strategic Outcomes

The following strategic outcomes relate to the ambitions of the Self-directed Support Strategy and set out the changes we want to see in making Self-directed Support a reality. These outcomes contribute to all of the Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.

1. Supported people have more choice and control

Citizens are engaged, informed, included and empowered to make choices about their support. They are treated with dignity and respect and their contribution is valued.

2. Workers are confident and valued

People who work in health and social care have increased skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver Self-directed Support and understand its implications for their practice, culture and ways of working.

3. Commissioning is more flexible and responsive

Social care services and support are planned, commissioned and procured in a way that involves people and offers them real choice and flexibility in how they meet their personal outcomes.

4. Systems are more widely understood, flexible and less complex

Local authorities, health and social care partnerships and social care providers have proportionate, person-centred systems and participatory processes that enable people who receive care and support live their lives and achieve the outcomes that matter to them.

Challenges

At this stage in the 10-year strategy it was important to take stock of what has been achieved and what has been challenging to achieve.

People told us these are the things that continue to be challenges to making Self-directed Support work for everyone who receives social care support:

• Commissioning - How to develop good flexible commissioning and procurement arrangements which place people at the heart of decision making.
• Risk enabling practice - How we better support people to achieve their agreed outcomes creatively whilst balancing the need for protection.
• Working with limited public resources - How we better manage demand and expectations through effective use of resources and develop a shared understanding of how this can be achieved in the context of reduced public funding.
• Knowledge and awareness - How we increase awareness and understanding of Self-directed Support amongst the workforce, supported people, carers and communities.
• Major system change - How we understand and work with other public sector reform agendas to ensure that Self-directed Support remains a high priority, particularly in the new integrated arrangements.
• Systems and processes - How we develop systems and processes for delivering Self-directed Support which are easy to navigate, transparent and focused on the person.