How Self-directed Support came about
Throughout history, people have needed support to be able to live their life.
In the past, people who needed support were often treated very poorly and excluded from society. They were sent to live in hospitals and asylums. Many of these that were set up in Victorian times were still in use for much of the 20th century.
In Scotland there were dozens of these hospitals and asylums. An example of these institutions is Lennox Castle in Glasgow, that finally shut in 2002.
In the late 20th century, efforts were made to enable people who needed support to live in their communities, rather than in institutions.
At the same time, the Disabled People’s movement was campaigning for better rights for disabled people.
In the 1980s in England, some disabled people began to organise their own support, with funding from their local council. This new support looked very different from the types of support that were available before. Previously the council decided what support someone should have, who should provide it and how it should be delivered.
Throughout the 1990s, people began to think differently about how social care support should work. They started trying different things to enable people to have more choice and control and to have more say in the decisions that affected their lives.
Self-directed Support was developed in Scotland in the 2000s and eventually became law in 2014.
What are the aims of Self-directed Support?
Self-Directed Support (SDS) is meant to help people lead the life they want.
The SDS law is designed to deliver people’s human rights.
This law recognises that people are the experts in their own lives.
People should have a choice in how they want to be supported.
There are some important values and ideas below which underpin this law. These values and ideas are how SDS should work:
- Collaboration
- Dignity
- Informed choice
- Involvement
- Participation
- Innovation
- Responsibility
- Enabling risk.
You can read more about these important values and ideas in the Resources section below.
How has Self-directed Support helped so far?
Since the law on Self-directed Support was introduced, many people feel it has enabled them or the person they care for to live their best life. It has allowed people to be creative in the way they receive their support.
As you read this Handbook, you will see some examples of positive stories from people who access SDS. This might give you some inspiration about how SDS could help you or the person you support.
Unfortunately, there is still much confusion around what Self-directed Support is, and who it is for.
Sometimes conversations about SDS can feel confusing, unfair or overwhelming. This can lead to a lack of choice and a lack of control.
Many people say they do not know about, or do not understand Self-directed Support.
Many families speak about the difficulty in understanding how SDS works.
Many health and social care professionals can be unclear about the law and their duties. This creates a barrier for people trying to access SDS.
This Handbook is here to help with this.
Next steps
Find out about how to access Self-directed Support based on who you are looking for support for:
Support for children and young people
Support for unpaid carers/ young carers