Self Directed Support Options
The right to be offered four options is at the heart of SDS.
Watch this brief introduction from Self Directed Support Scotland
Section 4 of the Act sets out the Options for self-directed support
"(1)The options for self-directed support are—
Option 1 The making of a direct payment by the local authority to the supported person for the provision of support.
Option 2 The selection of support by the supported person, the making of arrangements for the provision of it by the local authority on behalf of the supported person and, where it is provided by someone other than the authority, the payment by the local authority of the relevant amount in respect of the cost of that provision.
Option 3 The selection of support for the supported person by the local authority, the making of arrangements for the provision of it by the authority and, where it is provided by someone other than the authority, the payment by the authority of the relevant amount in respect of the cost of that provision.
Option 4 The selection by the supported person of Option 1, 2 or 3 for each type of support and, where it is provided by someone other than the authority, the payment by the local authority of the relevant amount in respect of the cost of the support."
Normally an offer of all four
options has to be made. In some cases the offer of Option 1 (a direct
payment) cannot be made or does not have to be made and there may be
other limited cases, primarily relating to crisis or short-term
situations where there is no requirement to offer the choice of options
at all.
Further details of these exceptions can be found in the Self-directed Support: Practitioners Guidance.
Additionally the Authority is required to apply the general principles and specifically to ensure that the choices are properly understood by the supported person.