How do women experience Self-directed Support?
- Written by: Lucy Mulvagh — Director of Policy and Communications
- Published: 26th October 2017
Not as well as they should, if the ALLIANCE’s research is anything to go by.
It seems like a while ago now, but earlier this year we carried out a small enquiry into people’s awareness, understanding and experiences of Self-directed Support (SDS). The results were published in June (‘Personal Experiences of Self-directed Support’), but are still yielding pertinent and revealing data. We’re in the process of sifting out information related to specific groups, and the first in the series is our briefing on SDS and Women (Women’s Experiences of SDS).
By looking in greater depth at women’s responses to our research, the ALLIANCE aims to gain a better understanding of how women engage with and experience the process. It is our contribution to what we hope will be a growing body of evidence to help improve SDS policy and practice. One of our main concerns is that there is a gap in robust, national qualitative data on SDS, including women’s experiences.
Our short survey and focused interviews show there’s a very mixed picture for women, depending on who you are and what you use SDS for. It is very encouraging that women’s satisfaction with social care increased by around 16 per cent following the introduction of SDS. However, half of our female respondents said they did not feel they have enough support to meet their requirements and waiting times for SDS packages are unacceptably high.
The ALLIANCE is concerned that SDS is not being implemented according to its rights-based values and principles and will therefore not achieve transformational change in social care culture and services or help improve people’s lives. Specific equalities and traditionally marginalised groups – in this case women – are at great risk of being overlooked when they require targeted and tailored approaches.
As Emma Trottier of Engender, who kindly wrote the Forward to our briefing paper, notes: “Health and social care services, and decisions over their management, have a major impact on women, and ignoring women’s unique needs and realities inhibits social policies from being realised for half of Scotland’s population.”
We’ve learned a lot from carrying out this research, which we hope to continue to improve and repeat as a way to monitor how people’s experiences of SDS – as well as the facts and figures – improve over time. Keep an eye out for more targeted briefings, including older people and unpaid carers, which should be published soon.
End of page.
You may also like:
Carola, disability and mental health advocate, shares her thoughts on the current state of mental health services in Scotland.
Continue readingIt’s time for an open conversation about the value of community health organisations and how we, as a sector, respond to changing demands.
Continue readingSara discusses how truly listening and acting on what we hear is the only way that true and real change can be made.
Continue readingReflection is key to making long-term change; but is the recent period of reflection by the government enough to drive this action?
Continue readingALLIANCE Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, shares her thoughts and reflections on the recent open letter to the First Minister.
Continue readingWhat does the new National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young Disabled People mean for young people with learning disabilities?
Continue readingGail Cunningham, a retired GP and Project Manager at LTCH tells us just how much self management has changed her life.
Continue readingSelf Management Network Scotland member Hilda shares self management resources ahead of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingALLIANCE Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, shares her thoughts on leading courageously in creating long term societal change.
Continue readingWe met inspiring young carers and shared how ALISS can help them to find local support for health, wellbeing and caring needs.
Continue readingJoanne McCoy on the collaborative process of self management and what she needs to lead in the management of her health.
Continue readingNew approach to services puts person at centre of care.
Continue readingALLIANCE Member Danielle tells us what she needs to lead as part of our self management awareness raising campaign for 2025.
Continue readingSelf Management Network Scotland member Caroline Brocklehurst tells us what she needs to take the lead in managing her health.
Continue readingMar Sánchez Fernández reflects on the importance of collaboration between the third sector and academia.
Continue readingReflecting on key messages from the ACRC Symposium.
Continue readingCould parkrun make you or your community healthier and happier?
Continue readingGrace Beaumont looks to the Principles of Self Management as inspiration for this year’s Self Management Week awareness raising activity.
Continue readingNan McKay Community Hall is a welcoming space in Pollokshields where community, health, and wellbeing come together.
Continue readingLouise shares her thoughts on the need for a statutory right to lifelong, independent advocacy.
Continue readingALISS is supporting GCHSCP's work to help people live independent lives by connecting them to support in their local community.
Continue readingKairos Women+ share the vital foundations of their creative anti-stigma work with women.
Continue readingToo many carers simply cannot make ends meet, but a Minimum Income Guarantee could be the solution.
Continue readingNational Stalking Awareness Week 2025, from 21-25 April, will focus on healthcare professionals spotting the signs of stalking.
Continue readingCOPE Scotland have developed a suite of resources to rebuild confidence and self-belief, crucial components of mental wellbeing.
Continue reading