Self-Directed Support (SDS)

You may be entitled to financial support for help you. 

  • This is a policy that allows people with health and social care needs to have greater control over the support they receive.

  • It enables individuals to make choices about how their support is provided and who provides it, based on a personalised assessment of their needs.

  • SDS aims to empower service users by offering them the flexibility to tailor their care and support arrangements, promoting independence and improving quality of life.

  • Users can choose from several options, including taking a direct payment to contract services themselves, having the local authority arrange services, or a combination of both.

There are four main options for individuals to choose from under SDS:

Option 1 - Direct Payment: The individual receives a direct payment and has the responsibility to arrange and pay for their own support services.

Option 2 - Individual Service Fund: The individual chooses the services they want, and the funding is held by the service provider on their behalf.

Option 3 - Arranged Services: The local authority arranges and manages the support services for the individual.

Option 4 - Mixed Package: A combination of the above options, allowing individuals to mix and match different aspects of SDS to suit their needs.

Importantly, no matter which option that is chosen, each aim is to provide flexibility and control to individuals over their care and support.