Funding provided by:
Mission Statement
To promote Independent Living in Scotland by ensuring high quality, local, Independent Support on Self-directed Support (SDS) is available to all. We work to showcase good practice in social care and campaign to ensure that SDS truly becomes the mainstream approach to social care delivery across Scotland.
Download the SDSS Strategy document 2018-21
About SDSS
Self Directed Support Scotland represents organisations run by and for disabled people, our members support thousands of people across Scotland with their social care choices. Together we work to ensure that SDS is implemented successfully so that people have full choice and control over their lives. We do this by:
- Supporting our members in the delivery of their services to provide local independent information, advice and support to those at each stage of their social care journey.
- Signposting individuals at each stage of their social care journey.
- Representing our members nationally to discuss SDS implementation.
- Showcasing good practice from those involved with SDS.
- Providing health and social care professionals, other voluntary organisations and educational institutions with the resources they need to champion SDS.
- Conducting research which recognises the power of lived experience.
SDSS Annual Reports
Staff
Donald is our Chief Executive and leads on SDSS delivery and strategic vision. He works closely with the SDSS Chair, Trustees, membership and staff team in the formulation of strategy and objectives.
Donald brings over 27 years of diverse experience in social care, primarily leading organisations working in learning disability. He comes to us from Autism Network Scotland, where he led the implementation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism in partnership with Scottish Government, before establishing his own successful Autism consultancy.
Involved in self-directed support implementation from its inception, exploring organisational responses in Glasgow, he has continued to work with people directing their own support through his own consultancy.
Get in touch with Donald:
By Email – Donald@sdsscotland.org.uk
Michael is our Communications and Policy Manager who contributes to and delivers our communication strategy by raising awareness and sharing best practice through press, events, our website and social media. He also works closely with the SDSS team, our membership and stakeholders to shape SDS policy in Scotland.
With a background in private, public and third sector marketing and communications, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and skills for engaging audiences and influencing change. Most recently, Michael worked for Alzheimer Scotland where he was introduced to self-directed support.
Michael has a passion for human rights, equality, diversity and inclusion and uses his skills and experience to deliver positive results for Self Directed Support Scotland.
Get in touch with Michael:
By Email – michael@sdsscotland.org.uk
Connect with Michael on Linkedin.
Mark is the Membership Development Executive for SDSS.
Mark previously managed and developed a Carers Advocacy Service at VOCAL, which is a carers organisation based in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Before that he worked as an advocate for people with learning difficulties, children and young people, and people using health services both in Scotland and the North East of England. Mark has also previously worked closely with disabled people’s groups and organisations to enable them to grow and develop in the way that they want, and to enable people to tackle the issues they are concerned with more effectively.
Mark has a love of history, archaeology and travelling and is currently trying to learn Mandarin and BSL!
Get in touch with Mark:
By Email- mark@sdsscotland.org.uk
By phone- 0131 475 2624
Jeremy is our Operations Manager and is here to implement a plan in conjunction with our team and stakeholders to continue to increase the effectiveness of the organisation and to take the lead on finance operations.
Following business and senior management roles in Edinburgh’s private sector, I’ve come from 6 years in development and financial management in an award winning Drugs and Alcohol charity. There I developed independent income and streamlined systems improving organisational effectiveness with finance, marketing, stakeholder management, fundraising and reporting.
While Operations Manager of SDSS on a part-time basis I am developing a fundraising support service for organisations with low capacity to manage fundraising events, engage their own stakeholders and connect with corporates and the public. Outside of work I currently support my local ex-mining community through our community council and regeneration project steering groups.
Get in touch with Jeremy:
By Email – jeremy@sdsscotland.org.uk
By phone – 0131 475 2626
Follow Jeremy Linkedin.
If you have difficulty accessing the staff list we have provided an alternative access page.
Board Members
Brenda Garrard has recently become a member of the SDSS management committee.
Brenda has worked for PAMIS (Promoting a More Inclusive Society) since 2001 and is committed to improving the lives of people who have profound and multiple learning disabilities and their family carers. She has worked on a number of various projects with PAMIS and is presently the manager of the PAMIS Self-Directed Support (SDS) project.
Enabling people with PMLD to access a life worth living is at the forefront of all PAMIS work. Self-directed Support and the ethos and vision behind SDS should enable all people with disabilities access to services that offer choice control and the necessary flexibility to not only receive appropriate care but to empower all to engage in society as valued citizens regardless of ability or disability.
Partnership working and supporting those who are committed to support the drive to make Self-Directed Support successful is important. PAMIS’ involvement with Self-Directed Support Scotland, as a member organisation, has been beneficial on many levels. As a member of the SDSS management committee Brenda hopes that she can contribute effectively to the work of the SDSS Team and in so doing contribute to positive change to the way people who require community support access and experience the SDS journey.
Angela is founding Board member of Self Directed Support Scotland and interim Chair. Her day job is Support Services Manager at Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living where she manages three Support Teams in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and South Lanarkshire to support people with information and advice about SDS.
Angela is also a founding Board member and current Convenor of Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA). She has been working in the field of disability equality and independent living for more than 30 years. She previously worked in social work and third sector organisations, promoting equality, rights and the participation of disabled people in society with the support they need to do this.
As a disabled person I am passionate about organisations controlled and led by disabled people.
In her spare time, Angela enjoys socialising, reading, spending time with family and has recently became a grandparent for the first time to a beautiful baby boy!
Joanne is Self Directed Support Scotland’s Treasurer. Over the last 25 years, Joanne has worked for a variety of Third Sector/Voluntary organisations. Starting out as an employability advisor with Castlemilk Economic Development Agency, supporting long-term unemployed / disabled people into employment, training and education. Following this, she spent some time at a Money Advice Centre, Carers Centre before commencing her current role at Take Control East Dunbartonshire.
Joanne started at Take Control as an advisor, bringing her personal experiences as a young/adult carer and managing an SDS Direct Payment package for a parent to the role, and has progressed to Co-ordinator at Take Control East Dunbartonshire.
In her spare time, Joanne enjoys hill walking, mindfulness in nature and meditation.
Alternative access to board members list.