Delivered by SDSS
As we welcome membership applications and renewals, we’re taking a look back at some of the key projects and events we’ve delivered with our members over the last 12 months.
As a membership organisation committed to ensuring that high quality, local, Independent Support on Self-directed Support (SDS) is available to all, we work to showcase good practice in social care and campaign to ensure that SDS truly becomes the mainstream approach to social care delivery across Scotland.
Over the last 12 months (June 2020 – June 2021) we have delivered a national research project and several campaigns, training sessions and events – all with our members at the heart of it.
My Support, My Choice
My Support, My Choice (MSMC), in partnership with the ALLIANCE, heard about the experiences of 637 people who use or are being assessed for SDS – making it the largest direct consultation of SDS to date. The national and thematic reports were published in October and December 2020 respectively. Local Authority reports and feedback sessions are now being finalised, following the COVID-19 related delay.
The report has been showcased at our AGM and National Voice events and members and other organisations including Social Work Scotland and mental health charity, See Me, are using the findings to influence their work.
SDS National Voice
On Wednesday 17 March 2021, nearly 200 people including those with disabilities, their carers, social care professionals and Scottish Government came together virtually for the 2021 SDS National Voice. This year’s event aimed to strengthen the collaborative efforts being made by Self Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) members and stakeholders, through open discussion and the launch of some innovative resources to help close the implementation gap.
Members who attended the event had the chance to hear about the My Support, My Choice research project, Social Work Scotland’s National Framework for SDS Implementation and the Independent Review of Adult Social Care. Following this, our members put their questions to a panel of key players in Scottish social care.
You can find out more about the event here.
Applying Legislation and Guidance to local SDS Implementation Issues
SDSS member, Civil Rights First, developed and delivered online SDS Legal Information Sessions between November 2020 and March 2021. The sessions enabled members to bring a query or issue they were dealing with, and receive information about how to apply the SDS legislation to this. Any significant issues that were highlighted were also supported with a further specific advice sessions outwith the event. The sessions aimed to increase our member’s awareness of relevant legislation and guidance and enable them to apply this when having initial discussions with people they are supporting.
Referrals
SDSS is committed to supporting our members in the delivery of their services to provide local independent information, advice and support to those at each stage of their social care journey. We do this by listing membership organisations on our website and taking calls from the public and social care professionals – signposting them to relevant support in their area.
In the last 12 months, SDSS received more than 2000 enquiries relating to Self-directed Support. 1,279 of these enquiries were referred to member organisations best suited to the enquiry subject and local area.
To find out how you can apply for membership or renew for another year, click here.
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