Option 3
When it comes to arranging and managing your social care support, you can decide how much control and responsibility you want to have.
There are four options, designed to give you different levels of control and responsibility. You choose which option is best for you.
This article is about Option 3.
You can find out more about the other options here:
Option 3
Option 3 is the option where you are not responsible for arranging your support. You leave it up to your local council to arrange support for you.
You have the least direct control and choice with this option, but you should still be given as much choice as possible.
Your social worker should still ask for your views and take them into account, and involve you in decisions about your support if you choose this Option.
How does it work?
After your assessment, your social worker will create a support plan with you, to agree what you need support to help you achieve.
If you choose Option 3, you let the council decide how best to support you.
You will not have to handle any money, and you are placing the trust in the council to manage your budget.
Option 3 can sometimes be the quickest way to get the support you need.
If you would prefer to use a different option, you should not feel pushed into letting the council arrange your support through Option 3.
Who can use this option?
Everyone who is eligible for formal social care support through their council should be able to choose Option 3. This includes adults, children and young people, and people with any type of impairment or support need.
Option 3 must also be offered to unpaid carers who are eligible for support in their own right.
Depending on where you live, there may be a limited number of organisations who provide the support you need.
Your council should still take your views into account and try and find the best support for you, even if this is the case.
Where can I get help if I choose this option?
Independent Support Organisations and Carers’ Centres (if you are an unpaid carer) can help you learn more about Option 3.
These organisations can help you to think about if Option 3 is right for you, or if you would prefer to have more control and responsibility over your support.
Next steps
Find your local Independent Support Organisation using the Find Help search tool.
Find your local Carers’ Centre here.
Lots of people are given the information they need to choose the Option that’s right for them.
But we know that some common issues come up for people.
Here is what do to if any of these things happen to you.
I was told Option 3 was the only Option I could use, but I want more control
The law says you should be offered all four Options, to enable you to choose how much control and responsibility you want to have when it comes to your support.
But we know that this does not always happen. Sometimes people are told they only have the option to have their council choose and arrange their support for them.
If you would like to know more about what other options you have, it is a good idea to speak to an Independent Support Organisation or Carer’s Centre for help and advice.
You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the Find Help search tool.
You can find your local Carers’ Centre here.
My council has chosen and arranged my support but I am not happy with it
If you use Option 3, your council should still take your views and preferences into account, even when they are organising the support for you.
Support services are often stretched, so sometimes there are not a lot of choices available, and the council decides to use what is available.
If you are not happy with your support, speak to your social worker and explain why.
An Independent Support Organisation, Carer’s Centre or Advocacy service can also be able to help you speak with your social worker, or make a complaint if you want to.
You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the Find Help search tool.
You can find your local Carers’ Centre here.
You can find your local Advocacy service here.
The law about social care support is called the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.
It says:
- If you are eligible for formal social care support, the council has to tell you about the four Options, including Option 3.
- Councils, by law, have to explain what each of the Options mean and how they work.
- Councils also have to tell you about other people who can help you decide which Option you want to use.
- If you need help to make a decision about which option is best for you, and you do not have another adult who is legally allowed to make decisions for you, the council has to take reasonable steps to help you make a decision.
- The council has to allow you to make a choice about which Option you prefer, even if making a choice is difficult for you.
You can find a link to the law here.
The SDS Statutory Guidance is legal guidance written for local councils to tell them how social care support (Self-directed Support) should work.
It says:
- Councils and social workers should not consider any of the four Options is better or preferable to the others.
- You should be empowered to choose the Option that works best for you.
- Your wishes and needs are the most important, even if you cannot make or understand decisions.
You can find the link to the part of the Guidance that talks about this here.