Self Directed Support (SDS)

People have told us that they would like to direct their own support and have greater control over how they live their lives although not everyone wants the responsibility of employing staff or managing the money.

Kent Adult Social Services (KASS) is committed to "empowering people to identify, choose and control the support or care they need to live life as they want" as set out in the Directorate's vision Active Lives.

Government policy is equally clear about the need to transform social care and deliver personalised services with greater choice and control by 2011. This is set out in a number of government documents, but nowhere more clearly than in Putting People First published in December 2007 (this link will open in a new window).

Self Directed Support (SDS) means:

• Better access to information, advice and guidance to support people in finding their own solutions.
• People will be able to self assess with as much or as little support as they need to complete the assessment
• Everyone who is eligible for social care will have a personal budget and know what money they have to plan their support
• People will have control over the way the money is spent, so they can plan their own lives
• Providing people with as much or as little help in directing their own support and managing the money as they need.

For more information about Self Directed Support you can view our SDS factsheet.