Author: Kayleigh Hirst

A pink graphic with the text SDS Scotland AGM 2024
14 November 2024 | News

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…

By My Side research logo
14 November 2024 | News

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
28 October 2024 | News

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 PVG form and pen
3 October 2024 | News

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
19 September 2024 | News

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…

An illustration with a pie chart and bar chart and an elderly woman in a wheelchair with her PA
7 August 2024 | News

Report published on data around Personal Assistants

The Scottish Government have published a report looking into sources of data on Personal Assistants. Developing the Personal Assistant workforce has been a focus of the national Personal Assistant Programme…

IMPACT - Improving Adult Care together logo
7 August 2024 | News

New research published on Personal Assistants’ wellbeing

Researchers from IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) have for the past year been looking at the wellbeing of Personal Assistants in Scotland. The work, which is part of the national…

Donald Macleod appearing at Parliament committee
25 June 2024 | News

Scottish Parliament hears evidence on the implementation of Self-directed Support

Throughout June, the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has been hearing evidence from across the sector on the implementation of Self-directed Support. The hearings have formed part…

A graphic showing a man looking at a laptop on a sofa with the Community Brokerage Scotland logo
30 May 2024 | News

Brokerage Award deadline extended

Due to increased interest, the application deadline for this year’s delivery of the Community Brokerage Award has been extended until 14 June 2024. The course, which starts in September 2024…

Self Directed Support standards logo
18 May 2024 | News

Revised SDS Standards published

Social Work Scotland have announced the publication of the newly revised SDS Standards. The Standards describe what good Self-directed Support looks like, and aim to support best practice and the…

ILF Scotland logo
3 May 2024 | News

Independent Living Fund Scotland re-opens for new applications

On 3 May the Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland officially re-opened for new applications. The ILF provides funding support for disabled people in Scotland, and it is hoped that in…

An illustration representing access to information for people with sensory impairments
26 April 2024 | News

Recommendations made for better information around SDS for people with sensory impairments

The ALLIANCE have published a report on people’s experiences of accessible information around Self-directed Support. The research looked at experiences of accessing information about SDS for people who are Deaf,…

A map of Scotland showing Support in the Right Direction funded services
16 April 2024 | News

Funding announced for independent support

New funding has been announced that will enable people in Scotland who use social care, and their carers, to access independent support, information, advice and advocacy. The Support in the…

A man sits on a sofa doing a video call on his laptop
28 March 2024 | News

Applications open for Community Brokerage Award 2024-25

Applications are now open for the next delivery of the Community Brokerage Award, running from September 2024 to June 2025. The award is a certified course, worth 30 credits at SCQF…

The front cover of a report titled A Brokerage Framework for Scotland
27 March 2024 | News

Defining and developing Community Brokerage in Scotland

A new framework has been launched which sets out a national approach to Community Brokerage services in Scotland. Developed as part of the SDS Improvement plan 2023-2027, A Brokerage Framework for Scotland has…