We bring together Scotland’s largest and most diverse network of people working to improve the implementation of Self-directed Support. We come together to share learning and gather intelligence, and use this to influence national policy on social care support.
Who we are
We represent a diverse range of national and local stakeholders working to improve the implementation of Self-directed Support.
We believe that the insights of people who need social care support and unpaid carers are vital to improving SDS, and positive change cannot happen unless they are heard and included. We seek to amplify the voices of people with lived and loved experience in both local and national spaces.
We have a direct link with national and local government to enable us to most effectively influence, and at times co-produce, policy.
Find out more about Who we are.
Our vision
Collectively, we work to help realise the values and principles of Self-directed Support as a way to empower individuals to have control over their lives.
Our role
Our ultimate aim is to bring together learning from how things work “on the ground”, to influence national policy, to in turn influence practice.
We have a role in monitoring progress on the current national SDS Improvement Plan and sharing learning and intelligence to shape the priorities of future plans.
We gather evidence from our work and from networks of people with lived experience.
We collectively influence national Self-directed Support policy, and policy areas related to social care support.
We are Scotland’s primary national space where policymakers can tap into collective expertise, understanding of and learning from SDS implementation across Scotland.
How we collaborate
In the complex world of social care support we recognise that we all have expertise in one part of the jigsaw, and that by combining our efforts and perspectives we are more effective in achieving change.
We are strategic in the way we operate, planning agendas for monthly meetings in advance to ensure members can contribute effectively, and forging strong working relationships outwith meetings.
We aim to create a trusting and open space, focused on sharing learning, to enable all members to contribute.
All members volunteer their time, experience and learning to the Collaboration, and agree to support actions as much as they are able.
Terms of Reference
Find out more about how we collaborate in our Terms of Reference.