Report on workforce and employment issues surrounding self-directed support (SDS) published
By News Scotland

The Scottish Government has published the findings of a research report on the study of the workforce and employment issues surrounding Self-Directed Support (SDS).

SDS provides funding for people to arrange support to meet some, or all of their assessed community care needs, instead of receiving services directly provided by a public body. Most people use the money to employ a personal assistant (PA) and/or to buy support from a service provider.

The research found that most SDS packages were considered to be working smoothly, with few having significant difficulties. Participants of all types stressed the benefits of SDS, and its importance in the context of independent living. There was a general commitment to promoting good practice in the use of SDS.

A summary of the issues facing SDS users as employers and the PAs they employ is also available.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/04/07112801/0