A Self-directed Support Leaders’ Summit took place on Monday 24th August at COSLA Verity House. National and local leaders from across Health and Social Care Partnerships, social work, disabled people’s organisations, care providers, third sector organisations and the NCS Advisory Board gathered to consider shared leadership priorities for improving the implementation of Self-directed Support (SDS), with an initial focus on Option 1 - Direct Payments.
The event was organised by the partners of the Scottish Social Work Partnership – COSLA, Social Work Scotland, the National Social Work Agency - in addition to the Scottish Government and Self Directed Support Scotland.
The Summit opened with remarks from Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson and the Minister for Community Care, Ms Alison Thewliss MSP who encouraged attendees to focus on the ambition of SDS, embrace discussions, and collectively problem-solve.
Cllr Kelly commented:
“Today’s event is about utilising the breadth of experience in the room, to collectively problem-solve about the concrete steps we can take to ensure people are benefitting from SDS as it was envisioned, with choice and control for people at its heart, and with social workers feeling confident and empowered to practice in a rights-based way.”
Alison Thewliss MSP, Minister for Community Care, told delegates:
“My challenge to all of us today is this: let us move beyond seeing Self-directed Support as a programme of work. Let us see it as a long-term commitment to changing how power, decision-making and support are shared. Let us provide clear and consistent strategic leadership. And let us maintain a relentless focus on the outcomes that matter most to the people we serve.”
Discussions at the Summit aimed to build upon the recent advice, recommendations and reports from the interim National Care Service Advisory Board, Social Work Scotland, Self Directed Support Scotland, Inclusion Scotland and the SDS National Collaboration.
Leaders from Social Work Scotland, the National Social Work Agency, and the NCS Advisory Board helped set the scene for the day, by expanding upon these recommendations in insightful keynote presentations.
During her keynote Joanna Macdonald, Chief Social Work Adviser and Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency reflected upon the important impact the day’s discussions could have:
“At its heart, social work is about supporting people to live the lives they choose. Today, through learning and leadership, let us create the conditions in which ethical, rights-based social work practice can thrive. Because when self-directed support works well, people do not simply receive services. They live the lives they choose.”
Speaking about the event, Anne-Marie Monaghan, Deputy Chair of the National Care Service Advisory Board highlighted:
“The advice of the National Care Service Advisory Board has consistently emphasised the need to keep people at the heart of what we do. While financial pressures are real, there is still much we can do to improve the experience of people using Option 1 Direct Payments. Flexibility is a core strength of Self-directed Support, allowing people to use resources in ways that meet their assessed needs and help them achieve the outcomes that matter to them. By working together across the sector, we can continue to strengthen implementation and ensure people, families and carers remain at the centre of our efforts to support good lives that demonstrate personal choice and control.”
Leaders had productive discussions throughout the day, bringing together varied perspectives and experiences relating to three key themes: Rights, Choice & Control; Finance; Workforce, Practice & Ethical Decision-making. The recommendations and potential solutions discussed will be summarised in a report, which will inform next steps.
Reflecting on the day, Neil Gibson, Adult Social Work Policy & Practice Lead at Social Work Scotland noted:
“What stood out most from the SDS Summit was the collective commitment to making self-directed support work for people and communities. There is clear passion and belief in the principles of co-production, but achieving Scotland's vision will require ongoing attention to rights, implementation and, crucially, investment. Ambition sets the direction, but resources make change for everyone possible.”
Similarly, Donald Macleod, Chief Executive of Self Directed Support Scotland commented:
“It was a pleasure seeing this event coming to fruition, building on the commitment made in The National SDS Collaboration to bring leaders from every part of the SDS landscape together. The quality and honesty of discussion from having comprehensive leadership involved is something the SDSS team has aspired to for a long time. This resulted in a commitment to understanding the complexity of the issues and gives us a solid foundation for future collective action and responsibility.”
Moving forward, COSLA and Local Government are committed to continuing to work in partnership across spheres of Government and with SDS leaders, to improve implementation locally and nationally, empower social workers and professionals to practice in a rights-based way, and to secure better outcomes for individuals and for carers.
