People of all ages are being given more choice and control over how their support is designed in order to ensure they receive the assistance they need. 

Argyll and Bute Council is working to help people to have more choice and control over how their support services are designed. Self-directed support places decision making into the hands of the individual and their family with help and guidance from social workers.

This means a major change to the way that support is provided for all clients and will come into effect on 1 April 2014.

Self-directed support (SDS) can be used in many ways. You can get support to live in your own home, such as help with having a bath or getting washed and dressed. Out of the home it could support you to attend college, to continue in employment or take a job, or to enjoy leisure pursuits more.

You can choose whether you would prefer to get support from a service provider such as a voluntary organisation or care agency, or by employing personal assistants or a combination of both.

The council’s Policy Lead for Children and Families, Councillor Mary Jean Devon, said, “Each person has aspirations and ambitions and this new way of working aims to provide the opportunities to help them. We are encouraging people to take control over the care they need to get the very best out of life ensuring that services make a positive impact on their lives.”  

Policy Lead for Adult Care, Councillor Dougie Philand added, “This will involve the individual themselves, their family and friends, and with the guidance of a social worker will look at the options available, including funding. 

“This is a significant change in the way the council works and in the way that new clients will be supported. There are challenges for everyone but the end result is our motivation to bring about positive outcomes for all.”

These changes have been introduced by the Scottish Parliament who passed a new law on social care support, the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, which comes into effect on 1 April 2014

You can get information about self-directed support or ask questions on the council’s website, at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sds or by calling 01546 605517.

You can ask questions through the website link and also by email to enquiries@argyll-bute.gov.uk

You may find your question could be answered by logging on to the Scottish Government’s web page which has Frequently Asked Questions about self-directed support which is at http://www.selfdirectedsupportscotland.org.uk/faq