Many people with sight loss who have assessed care needs receive care and support services. Usually this is from their local authority's social work department.
Now a new initiative - Self Directed Support (SDS) - is allowing you to directly buy in the services you need in a form that you choose.
But it's your choice. You can still opt for your local social work department to manage these services on your behalf.
What is Self Directed Support?
Instead of your local social work department providing or arranging services for you, Self Directed Support allows you to arrange services for yourself, choosing what to buy and how much to spend. It puts you in control.
You can even choose a mix of both options - buying in some services yourself while still asking your local social work department to provide other services.
Can I access Self Directed Support?
Adults with sight loss are likely to be eligible if you already receive social work services or have assessed care needs.
What can I use Self Directed Support for?
You can use the funds for things like:
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Respite breaks at locations of your choice
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For someone to provide care and support to you in any setting
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Support for you at your place of work
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Support for you in further education
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Purchase of equipment and adaptations.
How much flexibility do I have with Self Directed Support?
Self Directed Support offers an opportunity to meet your assessed needs in more creative and flexible ways. You can choose to buy these services from your local authority or from other providers, or from a mix of both.
Your Self Directed Support payment should be enough to buy services of an equivalent standard to those provided by your local authority.
Your payment is funded from local authority budgets but it may also include other funding such as the Independent Living Fund, Access to Work and money you receive from your health board. You should contact your social worker for further information regarding this.
Self Directed Support does not affect any other state benefits that you may be receiving.
Can I get assistance to help me manage my
Self Directed Support?
A range of support organisations can advise and help you to manage practical arrangements, and ensure that you have back-up in place should any problems arise.
Details of these organisations will be discussed with you when agreeing your personal care plan. A list of these organisations is also given on the Self-Directed Support Scotland website.
How you can access Self Directed Support
Following an assessment of your needs a personal care plan is agreed and an SDS application approved. Start and review dates are agreed and you receive the funding for your care and support. You can receive assistance from local organisation on managing SDS. You may be asked by your local authority to provide confirmation of how you have used the funds.
What if I change my mind?
If you feel that Self-Directed Support is not the best option for you, you can ask your local social work eepartment to manage your care and support services.
Further Information
'Directing Your Own Support: A User's Guide to Self-Directed Support in Scotland' (Scottish Government, March 2008).
You can also contact your local authority's social work department. Many Local Authorities have produced their own guides to Self-Directed Support and they too can put you in touch with a local organisation which can offer information, advice and training on SDS.