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What is SDS?

Self-directed Support is a principle and practice offering choice and control to individuals and their carers who are eligible to access social care services and support.

The values of Self-directed Support are respect, fairness, independence and safety. Theses values are supported by four principles:

Participation and dignity - the care manager will respect the individual’s right to dignity and will aim to support the individual’s right to participate in community life.

Involvement - the individual will be supported to be as involved as they wish in the assessment and provision of support.

Informed choice - the individual will be supported to make informed choices and co-produce a support plan which will meet their outcomes.

Collaboration - the professional must collaborate with the supported person in relation to the assessment and the provision of support to meet the individual outcomes.

The Act became Law on the 1st April 2014 placing a legal duty on all local authorities with respect to adults, children/families, adult carers and young carers eligible for social care support or provided with services:

  • Duty to have regard to the general principles of collaboration, informed choice and involvement as part of the assessment and the provision of support.
  • Duty to take reasonable steps to facilitate the person’s dignity and participation in the life of the community.
  • Power to provide support to carers (of adults) following a carer’s assessment.
  • Duty to offer four options to the individual. The options are intended to support the flexibility and creativity intended in the core social welfare and wellbeing duties relating to both adults and children.
  • Duty to explain the nature and effect of the 4 options and to “signpost” to other sources of information and additional support.

I already have Support Services; will SDS mean a change for me?

If you already have support services and are happy with the arrangements, they will continue. At each review, you will have the opportunity to consider the four SDS options. If you do not want anything to change and your support continues to meet your outcomes, this will not change.

If at any time you would like to discuss your current support you can contact your local social work office and request a review. If you are not sure who to contact, the duty social worker will be able to help.