The Self-directed Support and social care programme review 2022

The Self-directed Support team have developed resources based on the findings and responded to the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill

In early 2022 the Self-directed Support (SDS) and social care programme completed a major three-year research project in partnership with Self Directed Support Scotland, My Support My Choice: People’s Experiences of Self-directed Support and Social Care in Scotland. My Support My Choice was the most recent and comprehensive reflection of people’s experiences of accessing SDS in Scotland prior to COVID-19. The findings of the project have since been used within the Independent Review of Adult Social Care, developing the SDS Framework of Standards, and in a range of HSCP strategic plans.

Following the completion of that project, the programme has worked with Social Work Scotland to use findings from My Support My Choice to develop tailored resources to improve access to SDS for people from seldom heard from groups. These resources are due to be launched for testing in early 2023 across Moray, Edinburgh, and Dundee, before national roll out later next year. The programme also contributed to the revised SDS Guidance, including work on human rights based approaches to the Guidance, and work to improve the accessibility of relevant documents.

Finally, the programme has been heavily involved in the development of the proposed National Care Service (NCS). We responded to KPMG work on the NCS Current Operating Model, Target Operating Model, and proposed structure, highlighting key concerns from our membership. We also completed a signatory campaign around lived experience and the role of the third sector within the NCS, with 145 signatories from individuals and across the third and independent sectors. We shared the campaign with all MSPs and key contacts in Scottish Government. Scottish Government responded, committing to embedding human rights based approaches throughout the NCS, prioritising co-production with people with lived experience, and involving the third sector. We commissioned and compiled an anthology of NCS Opinions, following the NCS consultation. We engaged with a broad range of with key organisations from across the third and independent sector, improving knowledge of current priorities for the NCS within our membership, and published our response to the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.

At the close of 2022 we were invited to give evidence to three Committees on the National Care Service, highlighting the importance of lived experience, human rights, and the third sector throughout. These sessions included the Finance and Public Administration Committee (1 November), the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (29 November), and the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee (on 5 December).

The aim of the above work is to improve policy and practice for people accessing SDS and social care, embedding lived experience at the heart of delivery.

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