Self-directed Support

Self-directed Support (SDS) Children and Families

Self-directed Support (SDS) is a flexible, more creative way of providing and receiving social care services. It is based on a national policy towards offering people (who are assessed as needing care) more personalised, individual support to meet their needs. This should ultimately lead to people achieving the outcomes they want in their day-to-day lives.

It can lead to individuals having more choice, control and flexibility in managing and arranging their own care (a good example of this is through a direct payment, which is a form of self-directed support).

Staff should be aware that the Self-directed Support Act requires us to offer people four choices on how they can get their social care. The choices are:

Option 1 - direct payment

Option 2 - the person directs the available support

Option 3 - the local authority arranges the support

Option 4 - a mix of the above