News

Read the latest news on our work and wider social care policy in Scotland.

A man sits on a sofa taking part in a video call on his laptop

News

29 January 2025

Applications now open for Community Brokerage course 2025/26

Applications are now open for the next delivery of the Community Brokerage Award, running from September 2025 to June 2026. The Award is a certified course that will help you…

SDS National Voice 2025. Challenge, Connect, Collaborate. Sponsored by Navigator and Mark Bates Ltd

News

27 January 2025

Programme announced for SDS National Voice conference 2025

The programme for this year’s SDS National Voice conference, Scotland’s only national conference dedicated to Self-directed Support, has been announced. Organised by Self Directed Support Scotland and now in its…

A handshake with the text National Care Service beneath

News

27 January 2025

Scottish Government Outlines Future of National Care Service Bill

Following an extension to the National Care Service Stage 2 Bill Process in November, the Scottish Government has announced it will drop part one of the Bill, which had intended…

A pink graphic with the text SDS Scotland AGM 2024

News

14 November 2024

SDSS AGM 2024: round up

Our Annual General Meeting this year saw more than 80 people from our member organisations and across the sector get together to learn about the work we’ve been doing over…

A handshake with the text National Care Service beneath

News

14 November 2024

Scottish Government Confirms Extension to National Care Service Stage 2 Bill Process

Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, has written to stakeholders on the 14th of November to confirm that the Stage 2 consideration of the National Care…

By My Side research logo

News

14 November 2024

Research shows value of independent SDS support

New research published by Self Directed Support Scotland has demonstrated the value people place on having independent help to access social care support. The By My Side research, conducted over…

SDS Scotland Report and Financial Statements for the year end March 2024

News

28 October 2024

Our latest Annual Report

Today we published our most recent Annual Report, sharing highlights from our work over the past year. Covering the period April 2023 – March 2024, the report includes details of…

A picture of a magnifying glass over a computer screen with an online search bar displayed

News

10 October 2024

Recruiting user testers for online search tools

Can you help us make it easier for people to find support with SDS, and training for Personal Assistants?  We are currently working on two online search tools:  Redeveloping the…

A PVG form and pen

News

3 October 2024

Upcoming changes to PVG for Personal Assistants – what you need to know

A new law will come into force in April 2025 that will make it a legal requirement for Personal Assistants employed through Self-directed Support to join the PVG scheme. Disclosure…

A handshake with the text National Care Service beneath

News

19 September 2024

SDSS’ response to the National Care Service Bill Stage 2

Self Directed Support Scotland have today published our response to the call for evidence on proposed amendments to the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. The Bill, which was first introduced…

The front cover of the Scottish Parliament report called "Post-legislative scrutiny of the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013: Phase 2"

News

9 September 2024

Report published on Post-legislative Scrutiny of Self-Directed Support

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has today published its final report summarising the evidence it has collected during the process of scrutinising the Social Care (Self-directed…

The front cover of the consultation analysis report from the Scottish Government, which has a picture of a cartoon person surrounded by 5 thought bubbles with the following items inside: coach bus, justice scales, house, mobile phone, and heart

News

27 August 2024

Scottish Government publishes analysis of Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill Consultation

The Scottish Government has recently published their analysis of the responses they received from the consultation on the introduction of a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. The consultation process…