Self-directed support strategy 2010-2020: implementation plan 2019-2021

Involvement of people, workers and providers in change

The views and experiences of people, workers and social care support providers must inform and underpin these changes

The importance of co-production is a growing emphasis across all Scottish policy at both national and local level. It ensures that systems and procedures are fit for purpose, proportionate, and make sense for people's lives.

All planning for change and measurement of progress across social care must involve the people, workers and organisations affected. This is a process outcome that applies across all other outcomes of the change map.

National developments since 2016

• The new Health and Social Care Standards: my support, my life are human rights-based and ensure the person is at the heart of all care. They set out what people should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland and reinforce the values and principles of self-directed support across all settings.
• A national programme of work to support local reform of adult social care is being co-developed with supported people and carers. The Scottish Government and COSLA have supported the establishment of a new engagement framework - the People-led Policy Panel - whose objective is to be actively involved in the creation, testing, and early development of policy before ideas/proposals are fully formed. Users of social care support are instrumental in any decisions that are made. They have reaffirmed the importance of flexible support that centres on a person's life.
• The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 established rights for carers to have an adult carer support plan or young carer statement and access self-support in their own right; to be involved in planning services; and to have their views taken into account in assessing the needs of the person they care for.

"I am really enjoying being a part of the People-led Policy Panel. Being able to use my lived experiences of adult social care and to be able to work alongside the civil servants and policy-makers has been such a life affirming experience. I've realised that I can give something to society and I have a purpose. I am excited to see in the future young people with disabilities using self-directed support to live the lives they choose and not just existing. To know that I may help that change by being a part of the process is empowering! It now leaves me wondering what other ways can I give back."
Julia-Ann Smith

What national partners will do 2019-2021 to support involvement in change

• The Care Inspectorate will publish a thematic review of people's experiences of self-directed support (expected summer 2019). It is anticipated that the six areas inspected and the national overview will provide evidence of good practice and a focus on improvement. Any national recommendations from this review will be considered through the programme of reform to adult social care, of which this plan forms part.
• Working in partnership, Self Directed Support Scotland and The ALLIANCE will provide evidence from people who use social care to shape local and national improvements. This activity will build on user survey work carried out in eight HSCP areas in 2018-19.
• A regional leadership and development programme building on the success of Partners in Policy Making will be developed by In Control Scotland. Open to a mix of disabled adults, families, and professionals, this will develop a shared understanding of self-directed approaches among participants and support change at local level.
• The Care Inspectorate will change inspection methodologies to reflect the Health and Social Care Standards. They will also develop a self-evaluation approach which focuses on people's experiences and outcomes. The voice and experience of supported people, their families and carers will be critical in this work.
• Glasgow Disability Alliance will support the collective voice of disabled people using social care in Glasgow to share learning and lived experience in order to influence local and national partners and leaders.