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

People

People have choice and control over their social care support

• People are fully involved in decisions about their support
• People have access to good quality information, advice and practical assistance in understanding creative support options and how they might work
• People have access to good quality advocacy, if they feel it is required
• People know the budget and resources available to them and can direct them creatively and flexibly
• People understand how and why decisions about budgets and support are made

In each case, use of the word "people" is intended to encompass people who use social care support, unpaid carers (both in collaboration with the person they are caring for, and in their own right if they are eligible for support under the Carers Act) and family members.

"I don't think any of us realised how many different options were available beyond the normal support methods."

East Renfrewshire carer, after taking part in anticipatory care planning. This test of change reported the benefits of providing small amounts of money for carers of adults with a mental health condition to spend on things to make their caring life easier.

National developments since 2016

• A Review of Independent Support based on projects funded by Support in the Right Direction 2015-2018 found that supported people were very positive about the quality of independent support. They felt that this support was critical in obtaining good outcomes and projects enabled people to develop creative and flexible solutions for their care support.
• Two small scale pilots completed in 2017 explored the potential of Option 1 (direct payments) in care home settings, something currently prohibited under The Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2014. The findings demonstrate that engaging in a collaborative, person-centred process improved outcomes for participants. For some people, use of a direct payment was critical for this. For others, good conversations and involvement in outcomes-focused planning was effective in itself.
• The Audit Scotland progress report on self-directed support (2017) and responses to the joint Scottish Government COSLA discussion paper on adult social care reform both reinforced that supported people continue to seek greater choice and control over their support. They endorse the direction of travel and recognise the need for change across social care.
• The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 has strengthened support for unpaid carers, putting in place a system of carers' rights designed to listen to carers; improve consistency of support; and prevent problems - helping sustain caring relationships and protect carers' health and wellbeing. The accompanying statutory guidance emphasises that self-directed support options apply to carer support as they do for all social care support.

What national partners will do 2019-2021 to support people's choice and control

• Scottish Government will continue to fund independent support and advice for people navigating social care through Support in the Right Direction funding. Thirty voluntary sector organisations covering 31 authority areas will receive a total of £2.9million per year until March 2021 to offer face-to-face advice, advocacy and other forms of support, including for people not currently eligible for formal support.
• Self Directed Support Scotland will continue to build the capacity of independent support organisations and:
  • develop and test Quality Standards that focus on improving practice and building confidence in independent information and support;
  • refresh the Personal Assistant Employer Handbook to ensure people have good quality information on directly employing support staff; and
  • maintain a searchable database of independent support organisations so that people can access the right information and support at the right time.
• The Scottish Personal Assistant Employer Network (SPAEN) will continue to offer national support and advice about employing Personal Assistants. This will include support around employment advice, insurance, payroll services and managed bank accounts. This will equip people with the information and tools they need to be able to undertake their responsibilities as good employers and manage their direct payments effectively.
• Glasgow Disability Alliance will build on the success of the 'Future Visions' model of coaching, capacity building and peer support to enable disabled people and their families to set their own outcomes, secure the support needed to achieve them, and to build resilience and social capital.
• Self-directed support will be fully embedded in the Scottish Government's approach to older people. Through A Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action and Age, Home and Community - The Next Phase, the Scottish Government will raise awareness of self-directed social care amongst older people. This will help tackle barriers people may face to independent living.
• Scottish Government and COSLA are progressing a substantial review into the future role and support of care homes, in view of a growing care home population with increasingly complex needs and ongoing challenges around stability and sustainability. Delivered as part of adult social care reform, this will also include an emphasis on person-centred and outcomes-focused planning.