Self-directed support (SDS). What choices are available?

If you have a social care need, your local authority may direct you to an independent support organisation, such as us, to help you understand the choices and options available through Self-directed Support.

The aim of Self-directed Support is to give you as much flexibility, choice, and control as possible over how your assessed care needs are met. We provide clear, impartial information to support you in making informed decisions about how your care is arranged, ensuring you feel confident and in control.

You receive the full budget as a Direct Payment and make your own care and support arrangements.  

This is known as an Individual Service Fund. The provider holds the budget, but you are in charge of how it is spent.

The local authority will arrange your care and support.

You can choose a mix of options 1, 2 or 3 to provide different types of support.

Social care support is about supporting people to:

  • live independently
  • be active citizens
  • participate and contribute to our society
  • maintain their dignity and human rights

PAYROLL SERVICE

Our Payroll Service is tailored specifically for Personal Employers. If you’re using Option 1 to employ your own care and support staff, our service is designed to make the process simple, compliant, and stress-free.

We provide a fully managed, professional payroll service, ensuring all statutory duties are met accurately and on time. In addition, we can arrange Employer’s Liability Insurance and assist with PVG applications, giving you complete peace of mind.

MANAGED ACCOUNTS

For those who prefer not to manage bank accounts or handle payments, our Managed Account Service offers a complete, hassle-free solution.

We will open and manage a dedicated bank account in your name and take care of all financial transactions on your behalf. This includes paying wages, HMRC liabilities, and pension contributions. We can also process invoices and provide both you and your local authority with a clear monthly audit report, ensuring full transparency and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

SDS Definition and Statutory Principles

SDS is ‘the way that care and support is delivered, making the principles of choice and control central to care and support, and giving individuals full opportunity to take control of their support and their lives.’[12] SDS is therefore about how a support plan is put into action so that children, adults and their guardians or carers receive the help they need to meet agreed personal outcomes.

A Direct Payment is a monetary amount paid directly to individuals who wish to make their own care arrangements.  Please note this is an agreed amount after completing a needs assessment.

A Personal Employer is an individual who employs their own care staff directly.  These care staff are generally known as PAs.  

A Managed Account is a fully managed service for those in receipt of a Direct Payment from their Local Authority (Council). It includes opening a dedicated bank account for the Direct Payment to be paid into. We manage this bank account on behalf of the person receiving care.  Our Managed Account Service also includes our Payroll Service.

For those employing PAs we can offer you our Payroll Service or our Managed Account Service.  You can click on our latest leaflet for more information.  >>>PIP Leaflet 2024