05/07/06 -  Self-directed support - new national guidance

The Scottish Executive has launched new national guidance on self-directed support. It replaces earlier guidance on direct payments issued on June 20, 2003 and is designed to improve take-up of self-directed support.

The guidance is based on best practice recommendations from national working groups, national research work and the evidence of the Care Inquiry. It takes account of responses to a public consultation held in 2006. The specific tasks for local authorities to fund are:

•   a local support service which, where possible, should be independent and user-led

• early involvement of individuals with the local support service to assist with self-assessment and care planning

• other essential training for individuals on self-directed support, and training of personal assistants

• all basic costs within a Personal Assistant’s employer's package, where appropriate

• designated self-directed support lead officers or teams within each local authority

• training on self-directed support for care managers, finance managers and local authority directors

• enhanced disclosures for Personal Assistants employed by individuals on self-directed support

• legal support for Personal Assistant employers where appropriate e.g. indemnity insurance

• packages during Personal Assistant employers' short stays in hospital, where appropriate

• payments for self-directed support on a gross basis and to recover the individual's contribution later

Self-directed support is part Shifting the Balance of Scotland's health care towards sustaining and improving health and preventing longer term conditions through an emphasis on self-help and support that is continuous, integrated and individualised. It includes services for children, for those using mental health services and for older people in receipt of free personal care.  It is part of mainstream social care and builds upon the direct payments legislation. It can be used instead of or in addition to local authority services to support a person to live in their own home by purchasing personal care or support for participation in education and leisure. 

The guidance is available to download at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/07/04093127/0

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