Maintaining your independence while being cared for is incredibly important to so many individuals. At Hamill Homecare, we pride ourselves on giving our clients as much control over their care as possible.
This approach can differ across care providers, and Self-Directed Support (SDS) funding is available to give people varying levels of autonomy when it comes to seeking care services.
In this blog, we’ll examine how to apply for SDS funding for home care, with a particular focus on SDS Option 2, which allows individuals to select their chosen care provider with an assessed budget.
What is SDS & how can it help with home care?
Here, we will define SDS funding and we’ll illustrate how it helps with receiving home care in Scotland.
Definition of SDS
Introduced in 2013 as part of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, SDS ensures that every person in care is legally entitled to an assessment of their care and support needs, and that they can choose how their care is managed and delivered to help them with their desired outcomes.
We have already written a guide to everything you need to know about Self-Directed Support in Scotland, which we’d recommend you read alongside this blog, as it provides in-depth insight into what SDS is, who it is for, and the different options available.
Who is eligible?
In Scotland, SDS is available to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for social care services. It’s open to people of all ages, including adults, children and unpaid carers, whether they need direct care themselves or are seeking support like respite or holiday cover.
Each local Council sets its own guidelines, so they will be able to provide tailored advice on who qualifies and how to apply.
Why choose SDS Option 2?
Here, we will focus on SDS Option 2, also known as the Individual Service Fund (ISF).
Option 2 (Individual Service Fund) provides the middle ground between Option 1 (Direct Payment) and Option 3 (Direct Service). It’s a popular choice for those who wish to have the freedom to choose their own care provider, without the pressures that come with managing the financial side of things.
Under Option 2, the local Council holds your personal care budget, but you choose the care company that delivers your support. This makes it both a flexible and empowering option, especially if you are looking for consistency and relationship-building within your care at home.
It’s your choice
With Option 2, you choose your own care provider, and you’re not limited to the Council choosing a carer for you. This means you can select a provider you trust, like Hamill Homecare, and build a relationship with a consistent team that understands your needs.
This often leads to more personalised and compassionate care, which has positive ripple effects on an individual’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Leave the money management to someone else
Unlike Option 1 (Direct Payment), you don’t have to be responsible for the financial side of things. Instead, your local Council will make the payments directly to your chosen provider.
This is particularly appealing to family members who may also wish to remain involved with decision-making, but don’t want to get caught up in the admin.
Care that’s tailored to you
Whether you need personal care, overnight care, complex care, respite care or palliative care, Option 2 lets you build a care plan that complements your daily routine, goals and preferences.
It’s the perfect choice if you are looking to stay in your own homes for as long as possible, and care needs can be adjusted as they evolve.
Step-by-step guide: applying for SDS funding
Once you’ve decided which SDS funding option is best for you, you will need to apply. Here, we will walk you through the various steps, so you are prepared and know what to expect.
Step 1 – Contact your local Council
The first step is to contact your local Council’s social work department, where you can let them know that you, or a loved one, would like a care needs assessment to explore eligibility for SDS funding and support.
You can use the Find My Council tool on Care Information Scotland to arrange this assessment.
Step 2 – Your assessment
Next, you must prepare for your assessment.
It is usually carried out by a social worker or care professional who will assess your situation. During it, you will be asked about what matters to you most when it comes to care at home, how this can be achieved and what support you would like to organise yourself.
They’ll also ask about your health, your daily routines, your existing support network and any personal goals you may have. This is all important information to help paint a clear picture of the kind of care you require and why.
You can find a list of questions that you may be asked here.
During your assessment, you’ll agree on your personal outcomes. This is essentially what is motivating you to seek support: staying at home, managing daily tasks or keeping your independence, for example?
Step 3 – Your care plan & your personal budget
Everything discussed during your assessment will feed into your care plan if you are eligible for SDS funding.
This care plan will be sent to you, and it will outline what services you need, when you’ll have access to these services, and it will allocate a personal care budget based on your needs and the outcomes you discussed during your assessment.
You’ll be given a date by which to review the proposed care plan. If your needs change during this period, get in touch with your local social care department.
Step 4 – Choose your SDS option
Once you know the level of funding and care that you’ll receive, you can then decide which SDS Option you’d like to go for. If it’s SDS Option 2, you can select a care provider, like Hamill Homecare, and the Council will pay them directly.
Please note, sometimes your personal budget is lower than the costs of private home care; where this happens, you will need to ‘top up’ the difference.
Step 5 – Finalise your support plan & begin care
Once your preferred SDS funding option and care provider are confirmed, your care plan will commence. You’ll receive regular reviews to ensure your support continues to meet your needs and your care can evolve over time.