Reflections on SDS National Voice 2026
The SDS National Voice 2026: Learning and Leading conference brought together leaders, practitioners, decision‑makers and people with lived experience from across Scotland for a day of collaboration, learning and shared purpose. This event was one of our strongest yet, with 150 attendees, and reflected both the challenges and the opportunities shaping self‑directed support in 2026.
Our Chief Executive, Donald Macleod, opened the day with a series of announcements. Delegates welcomed news that a new Disabled People’s Organisation will be developed in Argyll and Bute, supported by funding from Inspiring Scotland’s Improving Access Fund. Delegates also heard updates on Community Brokerage and progress on implementing the National Brokerage Framework, including future work with NHS Highland to implement brokerage locally. Plans underway to complete SDSS Direct Payment research and launch a variety PA and PAE employer resources were also shared with delegates.
The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Tom Arthur MSP provided a Ministerial address, which you can watch in full here.
The Minister shared key updates, including:
- The Minister thanked the National SDS Collaboration and organisations involved in the delivery of the SDS Improvement Plan
- The Minister also thanked the PA Programme Board for its work in supporting the PA workforce
- Scottish Government has invested over £2.3 billion specifically in social care this year
- Scottish Government’s commitment to raise social care funding by 25% over the parliamentary term, with over £500 million additional next year
- The National Care Service Advisory Board has SDS as a priority area, with advice on improvements to be published on the Scottish Government website
Susan Douglas-Scott CBE, announced as the Chair of the substantive National Care Service Advisory Board, shared insights from the Board’s programme of work. The National Care Service: Interim Advisory Board has made a series of recommendations to the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, including a focus on systemic approaches to ensure flexibility of spend in option 1, the need for improved national data on SDS and the need for expertise from people with lived experience of SDS to influence the future direction of SDS. Susan made a powerful call to action- “Listen more deeply, simplify where we can, invest in relationships, share learning boldly, lead with values and hold on to hope”.
A panel with Susan Douglas-Scott CBE, Councillor Paul Kelly (COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson), Joanna Macdonald (Chief Executive, National Social Work Agency), Ben Farrugia (Director, Social Work Scotland), Arlene Johnstone (Chief Officer, NHS Highland), and Narek Bido (Chief Executive, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living). Panelists answered a range of pre-submitted questions, and discussed balancing financial pressures with actions leadership can take to address SDS implementation issues.
We were also delighted to welcome Joanna Macdonald, newly appointed Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency. Joanna outlined her vision to restore passion in social work, improve experiences for people and practitioners, and strengthen shared learning across Scotland. You can access a copy of Joanna’s slides here.
In the afternoon, Heather Fisken, Chief Executive from Inclusion Scotland and Chair of the Scottish Independent Living Coalition, highlighted the central role of the Independent Living Movement in shaping social care. You can access a copy of Heather’s slides here.
Arlene Johnstone offered an engaging session, encouraging delegates to reflect on what values-led leadership means in practice.
In-person delegates also engaged in a series of workshops, themed around the National SDS Collaboration’s Leadership Collective Action Objectives, including topics such as Direct Payments, supporting person-led practice as leaders, Community Brokerage, the Disability Equality Plan, working in partnership in SDS implementation, and Artificial Intelligence in Social Care.
Closing the day, Becs Barker, Chair of SDSS, ended the day with a powerful closing message: “If we leave here with one commitment, let it be this — to lead boldly, with clarity and compassion, especially when times are difficult”.
You can view the full programme of the day here. The SDS National Voice conference will return in March 2026. Please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of the website to hear first when tickets are released.
