SDS National Voice 2025
Date: 19 March 2025
Time: 09.30 am - 4.30pm
Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Edinburgh and online
SDS National Voice is Scotland’s only national conference dedicated to Self-Directed Support.
Following our successful return to an in-person conference in 2024, in 2025 we’ll be back at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre for a day packed with presentations, discussion, workshops and networking opportunities.
For those who prefer to take part in the conference online, the main presentations will be live-streamed and there will be a choice of hybrid workshops to take part in.
Programme
In 2025 our theme is “Challenge, connect, collaborate”. At a time when the wider landscape around social care support in Scotland grows ever more challenging, we’ll be reflecting on how closer partnership working across the sector is enabling us to challenge each other, connect, and collaborate to work towards the change we need to see.
With the original vision of the National Care Service considerably scaled back, and following the findings of the parliamentary Post-Legislative Scrutiny into the SDS Act, we’ll be taking stock of where we are now. We’ll hear examples of where challenging, connecting and collaborating are helping the sector to maintain a focus on achieving the principles of Self-directed Support.
You can look forward to a packed programme of presentations, discussions and workshops across the day, as well as the chance to network with colleagues from across Scotland. Full details of the programme will be announced soon.
09:30 – 10:10 : In-person registration
10:00 – 10:10 : Online event opens
10:10 – 10:35 : Welcome from event hosts Donald Macleod and Becs Barker
10:35 – 11:00 : Keynote: Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP
11:00 – 11:40 : Panel discussion
11:40 – 12:00 : Break
12:00 – 13:00 : Workshops round 1
Delegates will be able to attend two workshops during the conference, with workshops repeated 3.00 – 4.00pm. See more details about the Workshops below.
13:00 – 13:45 : Lunch
13:45 – 14:15 : Presentation: Learning from the SDS Learning and Improvement Framework
We’ll be joined by representatives from Local Authorities who have piloted the new SDS Learning and Improvement Framework. The framework, facilitated by Social Work Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, has been designed to help Local Authorities reflect on their implementation of Self-directed Support and identify pathways to improvement.
14:15 – 14:45 : Presentation: Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living
Pauline Boyce, CEO of Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living shares learning from GCIL’s work in supporting people to access SDS, and reflects on the power of partnership and collaboration to improve the the delivery of social care support in Scotland.
14:45 – 15:00 : Break
15:00 – 16:00 : Workshops round 2
The workshops will be repeated to allow delegates to attend a second session. See more details about the Workshops below.
16:00 – 16:25 : Performance
To bring the day to a close we’ll have a thought provoking and inspirational performance from the Purple Poncho Players!
16:25 – 16:30 : Event close
Workshops
Each workshop will be run twice, so you can choose to attend two sessions on the day.
Those attending online can choose from the hybrid workshops, those attending in person can choose any workshop.
A. Self-Directed Support – Pooling Budgets (hybrid)
Under our legislation Self-Directed Support has 4 options to enable supported people and their families to have choice and control around their support. Although pooled budget is referred to, it is not widely utilised or readily discussed within the 4 options.
In January this year In Control Scotland published a research paper Pooled Budgets in Self-Directed Support which sought to explore if pooling budgets was being utilised within Self-Directed Support… if so, what worked well and if not, what would need to be put in place for it to be more widely utilised.
This workshop, facilitated by In Control Scotland, will explain some of the findings and offer an opportunity to discuss how this learning could help improve the knowledge and understanding of pooling budgets across Scotland.
B. Building Better Pathways: Improving Access to Self-Directed Support for People Living with Dementia (hybrid)
In this interactive workshop, Cate Pemble, social scientist and Research Fellow at the University of Stirling, will explore key challenges and opportunities around accessing Self-directed Support (SDS) for people living with dementia and their carers. Using real-life examples and research, she will highlight some of the common barriers people face when trying to access SDS as they age, as well as share ideas for how SDS could be improved to better meet the needs of people living with dementia.
This workshop is a chance for you to reflect on your own experiences and knowledge about SDS, share your insights and expertise with others, and help shape better resources, training, and support for people living with dementia, their carers, and the organisations that support them.
C. Supporting people to make decisions: the stories and impact of Supported Decision Making (in person only)
This workshop is a brief introduction to Supported Decision Making. Everybody has the right to equal recognition and respect for their choices. Some people may have difficulty when making decisions and may benefit from support to ensure that decisions made by them, or about them, genuinely reflect their choices. This workshop will introduce how Supported Decision Making can benefit people. The workshop is being facilitated by The Advocacy Project, a human rights-based organisation and provides independent advocacy in Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. Independent Advocacy supports people to have their voices heard and be empowered to be involved in decisions that affect their life.
D. The SDS Standards: a catalyst for change (hybrid)
Come and connect with the Social Work Scotland Self-directed Support Team as they guide you through the SDS Framework of Standards including a new Standard 13 on Direct Payments. Learn how we can use the standards to collaborate with peers, providers, leaders, and stakeholders and how the Standards can be a catalyst for conversations about good Self-directed Support.
The SDS Standards challenge us all to do better and during this workshop we can discuss ‘what will it take to implement them?’ And ‘how can we use the Standards to improve the experiences of supported people, carers, and practitioners?’
E. Safe and Supported: Enabling SDS Recipients to Employ with Confidence (hybrid)
Mark Bates Ltd is a trusted provider of Employer’s Liability Insurance for individuals who employ Personal Assistants (PAs) through Self-Directed Support (SDS). In this workshop, we will explore how we collaborate with SDS support organisations and Local Authority SDS teams to protect and safeguard recipients, ensuring they have the knowledge, protection, and confidence to manage their own care and support effectively. From employment contracts to disciplinary procedures, we work closely with all parties to support SDS employers. Join us to discuss how we can help.
F. Supporting the PA Employer and PA Relationship: The road so far in developing training resources (hybrid)
In this workshop, facilitated by Self Directed Support Scotland’s Zoe McIntyre, you’ll have the chance to learn more about the resources developed as part of the PA National Training Framework. You’ll learn who can benefit, and in what ways, from the resources, how they support Employers to have the knowledge and confidence to carry out their role and how they address some of the gaps in relevant training material available to Employers and their PAs. And, you can learn how your involvement could support the creation of further PA employer and PA pathways.
G. Supporting unpaid carers to achieve positive outcomes (hybrid)
This workshop, facilitated by Amanda Vickery from Carers of West Lothian and Justin Boyes from Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) will compare and contrast independent support provided to unpaid carers in two different Local Authority areas. At this workshop you’ll get a helpful recap of legislation in relation to SDS for unpaid carers, consider what personal outcomes are, and share common outcomes identified by unpaid carers. There will also be an opportunity for participants to explore activities that can support positive outcomes for carers and enable them to manage their caring role.
H. Dedicated networking space (in person only)
In response to feedback from our last event, this year we are including the option of a dedicated networking session during both workshop blocks.
The workshop is only available to in-person attendees, and will give you the chance to make connections, share experiences and exchange ideas with each other in a rapid-fire “speed dating” session!
This is a great opportunity to meet others from across Scotland, with a range of backgrounds and roles, but a shared interest in Self-directed Support.
Accessibility
We aim to make the event accessible for all those who wish to attend. You can find information about accessibility at the EICC venue on their website: https://www.eicc.co.uk/visiting/disability-access/
Please let us know when you place your order if you have any accessibility needs.
BSL interpretation – if you require BSL please let us know by 21 February 2025 to ensure we can book interpreters. Auto-generated captions will also be available for those attending online.
If you need support to register please contact us at info@sdsscotland.org.uk or 0131 475 2623.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the conference please get in touch: info@sdscotland.org.uk
Book a space via Eventbrite