Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Directed Support
 

 

 1. What is self-directed support?

Self-directed support is about giving people control of the support they receive and the life they lead. It may be referred to as 'personalisation' or 'personal budgets', but whatever name is given to the scheme the important thing to remember is that it is intended to empower and enable individuals.

 

 2. What makes self-directed support different from how support has been traditionally access for disabled people?

Self-directed support is different from the more traditional ways of organising support because it adopts a person centred approach which should always be tailored to meet the needs of the individual receiving support. Traditionally Social Services would arrange an individuals support and they wouldn't have much choice if any over when their support was provided and who provided it. However, self-directed support gives people choice and control over their support and who provides it. It also allows flexibility to enable the person receiving support to live the life the want to lead.

 
 3. What are the 4 options of self-directed support?

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• Option 1 - Direct Payment - This means that the individual receiving support or their family becomes the employer and they can employ their own Personal Assistants as opposed to using a support provider. 

 

• Option 2 - An Individual Service Fund - This is when an organisation holds your budget for you and makes payments etc as required. However, you still have choice and control over who provides your support and how you spend your budget etc 

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• Option 3 - The Local Authority Organise your Support - This is the more traditional way of accessing support and can still be the preferred option for individuals receiving support. However, this is likely to mean that you won't have choice and control over who provides your support and it could also mean that the level of flexibility is limited. 

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• Option 4 - A Mix of Option 1 to 3 - You can choose to choose to use a mixture of Option 1 to 3 of self-directed support. You can change the level of each option you choose when your budget is reviewed e.g. you might start with X amount of hours as a direct payment and use a provider to provide another element of your support, but at a later date you might choose to take more hours as a direct payment and reduce the support provided by the support provider you use.

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4. How do I get assessed to find out if I am eligible for self-directed support?

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If you are already in receipt of support you can ask to be assessed for self-directed support. However, if you are not already in receipt of support you should contact your local Social Work department and asked to be assessed to find out if you are eligible for self-directed support. In both of these cases you will be taken through the process of completing a Needs Assessment supported by your allocated Social Worker. This Needs Assessment will take into account all aspects of your daily living, what you need support with and what you can do independently. This assessment will then be presented to the resource allocation team within your local authority and assist in assessing your eligibility for self-directed support. If you are eligible the Needs Assessment will help inform the self-directed support budget that you are allocated. If you are not eligible for self-directed support you should then be supported to explore other ways in which you can access support e.g. from community resources etc.

 

5. Can I only use my self-directed support budget to buy in services?

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No you don't need to only use your self-directed support budget to buy in services. You should be able to use your budget in creative ways to assist you in meeting you outcomes that are identified in your Needs Assessment.

 

6. If not, what are the creative ways in which I can use my self-directed support?

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There are multiple ways in which you can use your self-directed support budget creatively, so it would very much depend on what works for you and in what is identified in your assessment as your outcomes. It could also be dependent on how fixable your local authority are in enabling you to use your budget creatively. Ways in which you might be able to use your budget creatively include :-

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• to buy a piece of equipment that will help you achieve your outcomes e.g. a laptop or iPad

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• garden equipment to allow you to enjoy your garden safely for example

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• for a gym membership to help you manage your health and wellbeing

 

7. Is there support available to help me manage my payroll and if so, who are these organisations?

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Yes there are several payroll organisations that you can access to help you manage your payroll for your PA's. These organisations can also support you with other elements of being an employer such as organising training for you PA's, advertising and recruiting PA's and carrying out PVG and Disclosure checks for your PA's. Examples of these organisations include:-

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• The Glasgow Centre of Inclusive Living (GCIL)

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• Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN)

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• Partners in Personalisation (PIP)

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You will be able to access the payroll organisation within your local authority

 

8. How often can I ask for my self-directed support budget to be reviewed?

 

You can ask for your self-directed support budget to be reviewed as often as required. It's important to remember that an individuals needs and aspirations can change on a daily or weekly basis and this shouldn't be any different for a disabled person receiving support. A self-directed support budget should be able to change and develop with the person. At the very least an individuals budget should be reviewed on a 6 monthly or annual basis. 

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9. Can I employ a family member?

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Yes, however some local authorities are more open to this than others for various reasons. Therefore, if employing a family member is something you would like to explore you should discuss this with your Social Worker explaining why you think this is the best option for you. In rural communities it may be that employing a family member is one of the only options an individual has due to the limited support providers in the community. 

 

10. What does an outcome-based approach mean?

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The term ‘Self Directed Support’ establishes the ways in which individuals and families can have informed choice about the way care is provided to them. Through a partnership approach to needs assessment individual outcomes are agreed that will allow an individual to live the life they want to lead achieving their goals and aspirations in their approach that is right for them. 

 

11. How can person-centred planning help inform my self-directed support budget?

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A person-centred plan has the potential to change the narrative between an individual receiving support and the professionals who are involved in their life. A person-centred plan focuses on what an individual focuses on what they CAN do rather than what they CAN'T do, removing the barriers that disability often brings. Person-centred planning encompasses an individuals whole life, their dreams and aspirations and not just what support they need etc. If conducted in parallel  a Needs Assessment and person-centred plan can enhance the other and be used in a positive way to inform an individuals self directed support budget. 

 
12. Do I have to be an employer and employ my own staff, if I receive self-directed support?

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No you don't have to employ your own staff if you receive self-directed support. As outlined in question 3 there are 4 options within self-directed support and you can change what option you use each time you ask for your budget to be reviewed if this is what you feel is required.

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