Why Not Have a SDS Blether?

Why not have a SDS blether?

SDS Blether Week 13 – 17th June

#SDSblether

The Challenge

In the run up to and during 13th – 17th June we are inviting Local Authorities tohave a quality Self-directed Support (SDS)conversation with colleagues they wouldn’t usually to develop their understanding of SDS . Why not get in touch with your SDS Lead to get involved in these by showcasing how independent organisations can help in the SDS process and share your stories of SDS.

Or why not have your own conversations with someone you wouldn’t usually to assist them to a betterunderstanding of SDS. The aim of the week and months that follow is to encourage relationships to be built to enable more SDS success.

If you are already having conversation on What Matters to You Day on 6th June why not keep the conversation going on SDS?

Share your conversations and elevator pitches

We want to get a conversation started to help each other build relationships and have good quality conversations. So do share your SDS conversations on twitter using the hashtag #SDSblether.

Why not upload a video on twitter of you in a lift doing your SDS elevator pitch that we asked you for in our last communications?

Why we are asking you to do this?

National partners have recently sought feedback from people who receive support, care providers, support organisations and local authorities on what is working well, and what is not working so well to implement SDS. Analysis of this tells us that it works best when everyone works together, there is flexibility and creativity. It doesn’t work well when there isn’t a shared understanding, systems and processes get in the way, people aren’t in control of their decision making or there is a limit to the choices available within a locality.

The 3 things we all need to do to make self-directed support a reality for everyone, everywhere are:

create a shared understanding of what SDS is;
share stories and evidence to win over hearts and minds;
promote the principles of choice and control as fundamental to improved health and wellbeing.

What we’re looking to achieve?

We know from experience and case studies that the small things in people’s lives make a big difference. Through SDS Blether Week and beyond we want you to help your Local Authorities and your colleagues tokeep havingquality conversations to focus on the big impact small changes can have in a supported individual’s life. Through these continued conversations we want everyone to move towards having a shared understanding of Self-directed Support.

What is Self-directed Support?

SDS allows people, their carers and families to make informed choices about what their support looks like and how it is delivered. Having greater control of your life and decision making leads to improved health and wellbeing.

Local authority social work departments have a legal duty to offer people who are eligible for social care a range of informed choices over their care and support. These choices are outlined in legislation.

Even if a person is not eligible for a formal public service or personal budget, any assessment process, contact with universal public services and engagement with voluntary organisations should follow these principles of choice and control.

Let us know how it went?

All we ask is for you to let us know how your SDS blether went with your Local Authorities?

To feedback email telling us:

Who did you talked to?
How it felt?
What happened as a result of the conversation?

You can share your experience on twitter using #SDSblether.

Let’s have anSDSblether!

Other formats

If you need further information or a different format please get in touch with Gemma at:

Self Directed Support Scotland

Telephone: 0131 475 2623

Email:

or use the hashtag #SDSblether