Self-Directed Support is the way that social care and support is organised in Scotland. Self-Directed Support allows you to have choice and control at the level you want.

There are 4 options:

Option 1. Direct Payment 

• You receive the funds to buy support yourself
• Local authority will assess your needs and decide how much money can be spent on your support
• This option gives you the most responsibility and maximum choice for arranging things 

Option 2. Individual Service Fund 

• You choose the support you would like it is arranged for you
• You can choose the care organisation or support provider and the local authority arranges it
• This option provides control over the choice and timing of support but local authority will handle the money and arrange the type of support that benefits the carer/cared for/family

Option 3. Traditional Services

• Your local health and social care partnership arrange support on your behalf with discussion and agreement from you
• This option gives the least responsibility for arranging things but also gives less choice over support

Option 4.  A Mixture of 1, 2 and/or 3

• You can combine the options in the way that suits you best
• You can pick the parts you want to arrange and what parts to leave to the local authority 
• This option allows you to control some parts of the care/support you need 

The person you care for may already be accessing Self-Directed Support. As a carer you may also be able to access Self-Directed Support for your own support needs. 

An Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement starts as a conversation with a worker about the things that are important to you in your life, often described as outcomes. Some examples of outcomes are:

• I want my wellbeing to improve and be as well as I can be
• I want to reconnect with my community
• I want to spend more time with my grandchildren