Are you a carer?

If caring is having an impact on your life and other supports have not been enough, self-directed support (SDS) may help.

You may be eligible for SDS if you have already tried community support or commissioned services, such as Lanarkshire Carers, and still have significant needs. SDS can be linked to your Adult Carer Support Plan, which looks at what matters to you and the outcomes you want to achieve. 

SDS gives you more choice and control over how support is arranged to help you manage your caring role.

What self-directed support is

Self-directed support is how social care support is arranged in Scotland. If you have eligible needs as a carer, we may agree funding to help you work towards the outcomes in your adult carer support plan.

Any support offered is agreed with your allocated lead worker, who will talk with you about:

• which of your needs have been identified as eligible for formal support
• what support could help you meet your outcomes
• how that support will be provided
• how it links clearly to your adult carer support plan

The four self-directed support options

If funding is agreed, you can choose from the four SDS options:

• Option 1 – Direct payment
• Option 2 – Individual service fund
• Option 3 – Arranged support
• Option 4 – A mix of options

More than one carer

Some people are supported by more than one carer. In these situations, any funded support is usually offered to the main carer. If the support is used for respite or replacement care, all carers involved can benefit.

Reviews and changes

We will agree on a time to review your adult carer support plan and any support in place. If things change, you do not need to wait for a review. You can ask to update your plan at any time.

You can find out more about Self‑directed Support.

Further information is also available in our Local eligibility criteria for young carers and adult carers booklet.