Self-directed support consultation to launch

2nd July 2021

NHS Highland and the Highland Council are beginning a consultation on Self-directed Support (SDS) to ensure our services meet the requirements of those who need them most. The consultation sets out a suggested new vision and approach to providing SDS and will take place in a range of ways from 09 July until the end of August this year.
SDS gives people choice and control over the social care and support that they need to ensure that they are not only supported in ways that are right for them but that they are also involved in decisions about their support as much as possible.

It is recognised across Scotland how important SDS is, but also that it can be challenging to deliver in a way that meets people's needs.

With this in mind, NHS Highland and the Highland Council, supported by our partners, are keen to set out a new approach to providing SDS and we want to hear from you as to whether you think the direction we suggest is the right one.

Our vision is for services to be caring and enabling, promoting equality and person centered, meaning that peoples support is planned around their individual needs and what is important to them.

Ian Thomson, Head of Service: Quality Assurance, Adult Social Care, said: "We understand how important SDS is for many people and hope that this consultation will give everyone who currently uses SDS or supports people who use SDS to have their say and tell us what is important to them about the services they receive."

For more information about the consultation and access to the electronic consultation documents, including an ‘easy-read', please click here.

You can give also your views by completing the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6LJVQY8

If you would like more information, a paper copy or alternative format of the survey or would like to ask someone to call you back to discuss the consultation please contact us, via email on karen.patience.@nhs.scot or leave us a message on 01463 704715.