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The Independent Review of learning disability and autism in the mental health act

The Independent Review of learning disability and autism in the mental health act is looking at whether this law needs to change for people with autism or people with learning disability. The review is looking at whether the law promotes and protects people’s human rights. If the review finds that the law needs to change […]

Have you had help to sort out your social care support? 

Complete the By My Side survey now: qrco.de/bymysidesurvey   We are doing a research project called By My Side, all about the support people get when they need help to navigate and organise social care.  There are organisations across Scotland which are independent from the council and can give you help and advice about social […]

Latest Personal Assistant workforce survey findings published 

  The findings of the second Personal Assistant workforce survey have been published, giving an insight into the PA workforce in Scotland, what motivates and challenges them. Almost 800 PAs responded to the survey, which was carried out in April 2023 following a first survey conducted in 2022. This second set of results allows, for […]

Research into SDS information for people with sensory impairments

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland are doing research into accessible information about Self-directed Support (SDS) for people with sensory impairments. They’d like to hear from any adult with a sensory impairment who accesses, wants to access, or who has been refused access to SDS or social care. There are two ways to get […]

Help shape the re-opening of the Independent Living Fund

The Scottish Independent Living Fund was created in 2015 following the closure of the UK Independent Living Fund, and is designed to support individuals who have complex disabilities to live independently. Since 2015 the fund has been closed to new applicants, but it was announced in September 2023 that the fund will re-open in April […]

Latest developments in National Care Service

  The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, has given an update to the Scottish Parliament on the latest moves towards developing a National Care Service for Scotland. In a letter to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, the Minister outlines the proposed changes to the original Bill that […]

PA Employers and Personal Assistants sought to shape work on wellbeing

A new project aimed at improving the wellbeing of Personal Assistants in Scotland is seeking PAs and PA Employers to join expert groups to guide the work. The project also aims to support the mutual relationship between PA Employers and PAs. It is being run by IMPACT (Improving Adult Social Care Together), a UK-wide project that […]

SDSS AGM 2023: round up

Our Annual General Meeting this year saw more than 80 people from our member organisations and across the sector get together to hear the latest updates on Self Directed Support, Scottish social care policy, and share learning in a series of workshops.  SDS Scotland CEO Donald Macleod shared highlights from our work over the past […]

New project will map the quality of Independent SDS Support in Scotland

SDS Scotland is undertaking a new piece of research to look into the quality of Independent Support in Scotland. Independent Support is provided by organisations across the country to help people navigate Self-Directed Support (SDS). The research is interested in finding out about the experiences of people who have used (or tried to use) Independent […]

Recommendations made on inspection and regulation in social care

An independent review looking at the inspection and regulation of social care in Scotland has published a report into its findings. The Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation (IRISR) was led by Dame Sue Bruce and has been conducted over the past year. Its aim was to look at current systems of regulation and […]

Employers and PAs invited to share views on PA training

SDSS is inviting people who employ Personal Assistants, and PAs themselves, to give their views on what training they feel would be beneficial to PAs. A short online survey has been created to ask about, among other things: what types of training would be most useful (eg. online, in person) what training topics would be […]