Funding of £9.2 million to support independent
living.
More than £9 million is being made available over the next three
years to give people who access social care more choice and
control over decisions relating to their care.
This funding builds on an additional £2 billion investment in
social care and integration, as part of the Scottish Budget for
2024-25, and delivers on the Scottish Government's commitment to
increase spending by 25% over this Parliament – two years ahead
of the original target.
The funding for the national ‘Support in the Right Direction'
programme will enable organisations to deliver independent
support and advocacy to help people live independently and
participate in all aspects of life.
The grants are part of the Scottish Government's Self-Directed
Support Improvement Plan which empowers people to make informed
choices about the support they need.
Social Care Minister Maree Todd said:
“Through this funding, people and carers will be supported to
have more choice and involvement in how their social care is
delivered.
“We want everyone accessing social care to feel confident
participating in every stage of their social care journey and be
equal partners in their care and support decisions, so that they
can live a full and independent life.
“The ambition is to have the right independent support available
at the right time and place to meet the specific needs of each
individual.”
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living Chief Executive Gaby Nolan
said:
“We are delighted to be awarded the Scottish Government funding.
By offering peer support, as well as individualised casework,
this funding will enable us over the next three years, to raise
more awareness of Self-Directed Support to disabled people and
carers, improve access and support people at all stages of their
social care journey. This fund is also supporting us to work with
carers from Black and Minority Ethnic communities increasing
awareness and access and offering accessible, person-led
support.”
Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant said:
“We are pleased to be working with the Scottish
Government on Support in the Right Direction. This vital
funding commitment will help bring stability to organisations
over the next three years and strengthen the network across
Scotland of providers of independent advice and advocacy with
self-directed support.
“We know that locally based organisations are vital in enabling
people and their carers to understand and navigate the social
care systems in their areas. Each of these organisations
bring expertise in social care, self-directed support and a good
knowledge of local resources meaning they are best placed to work
with people at every stage of their journey.”
Background
33 third sector
organisations across Scotland are to be funded through
Support in the Right
Direction (SiRD), to provide independent support,
information, advice and advocacy to people using social care and
their carers.
The SiRD fund (2024-27) is managed by Inspiring Scotland and will
support the delivery of the Scottish Government's Self-Directed Support
(SDS) Improvement Plan 2023-27, by empowering people to have
choice and control over their social care support. Starting on 1
April 2024, funded services will receive a share of up to £9.2
million funding from Scottish Government across three years.
