Self Directed Support Scotland

02/07/2026

It's not too late to apply to study the Community Brokerage Award! ⌛

Applications deadline has been extended until Monday 13 July.

Sign up for an Award info session next week, on either:

- Wednesday 8 July 12:30pm
- Thursday 9 July 3:30pm

Learn more about the Award, a certified course that will help you learn more about Self-directed Support & the community brokerage approach.

24/06/2026

We are pleased to have contributed to this report, alongside our recently published report "Changes to Self Directed Support Direct Payments in Scotland". We look forward to working with Inclusion Scotland and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for better SDS implementation in the coming weeks and months.

Inclusion Scotland and Self-Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) have published a new report exploring how changes to Self-directed Support (SDS) Direct Payments are affecting disabled people across Scotland.  Based on lived experience evidence, the report shows how reductions in funding, tightening...

22/06/2026

It's not too late to apply to study the Community Brokerage Award! Applications close one week from now- Tuesday 30 June.

Sign up for an Award info session this week, on either:

- Wednesday 24 June 3pm
- Thursday 25 June 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-brokerage-award-information-sessions-june-2026-tickets-1991900516064?aff=oddtdtcreator

Find out in the below video why previous students applied, and get your application in soon! 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUDzpIzJ0xw

Learn more about the Award, a certified course that will help you learn more about Self-directed Support & the community brokerage approach.

18/06/2026

Information sessions are now open for sign up, to learn more about this year's Community Brokerage Award.

Sign up via Eventbrite for a session on either:
- Wednesday 24 June 3-4pm
- Thursday 25 June 10-11am

Applications to the award close Tuesday 30 June, so don't miss your chance to gain valuable skills, and potentially with costs fully subsidised (dependent on individual circumstances).

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-brokerage-award-information-sessions-june-2026-tickets-1991900516064?aff=oddtdtcreator

15/06/2026

Applications are now open for the next delivery of the Community Brokerage Award, running from September 2026 to June 2027 (with potential subsidy available for learners dependent on individual circumstances).

Previous students have said about the course:

"It has definitely given me confidence and having been out of studying for a while, it has given me the boost to go out and try and learn other things."

"The course has helped fill in a few gaps within my SDS knowledge landscape. It's really helped me as a carer who wants to continue to support other carers."

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 30 June 2026 and informal interviews will be held on a rolling basis throughout June and July.

You can find out more about the course on the Community Brokerage Scotland website: https://communitybrokerage.scot/the-community-brokerage-award/

09/06/2026

Self Directed Support Scotland has now published its “Changes to Self-directed Support Direct Payments in Scotland” report 📰

The report includes findings relating to changes to Direct Payments (DPs), including higher eligibility thresholds, increased difficulty in navigating assessments and reviews, lack of clear policies and procedures, increased restrictions on DPs, challenges in recruiting/retaining PAs, and increased need for independent support, information, brokerage, advice and advocacy.

You can find out more about the report, and a launch event being held on Wednesday 24 June 10-11am, on our website:

Self Directed Support Scotland has now published its “Changes to Self-directed Support Direct Payments in Scotland” report. Donald Macleod (Chief Executive, SDSS), on the report’s publication, said: “Thank you to all those who...

01/06/2026

Applications are now open for the next delivery of the Community Brokerage Award, running from September 2026 to June 2027! 🎉

The Award is a certified course that will help you learn more about Self-directed Support, the Community Brokerage approach, and apply this knowledge and learning to your practice.

Anyone who is interested in helping people access support to live full lives in their community is likely to find the course useful. Subsidy may be available to study the award, dependent on your individual circumstances.

Apply to study the award before Thursday 30 June, and find out more on the Community Brokerage Scotland website:

Who is the course for?  This course is for anyone who works, or is interested in working, in a role that provides community brokerage to build the capacity of people who need support to live full lives in their community. This approach builds on people’s strengths and explores how resources such ...

15/05/2026

Help Shape National Research on Direct Payment Changes in Scotland!

Self Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) is looking for people with experience of Direct Payments (DPs) to take part in short online discussion groups discussing how DPs work in practice.

Sessions for Disabled People and Unpaid Carers
• Monday 18 May – 11am to 12 noon
• Wednesday 20 May – 3 to 4pm
• Monday 25 May – 7-8pm
• Tuesday 26 May – 11am to 12 noon

Sessions for Independent Support Organisations
• Tuesday 19 May – 1 to 2pm
• Thursday 21 May – 11am to 12 noon

Learn more and register here: https://www.sdsscotland.org.uk/news/recruitment-to-focus-groups-on-national-research-on-direct-payment-changes-in-scotland-opens/

21/04/2026

Our Self-directed Support and Dementia learning session with Alzheimer Scotland is being held tomorrow (Wednesday 22 April, 9.30- 1pm). Secure your place today! ⏰

We have last few places for our learning session delivered by Alzheimer Scotland on how Self-directed Support (SDS) can help people living with dementia and their care partners.

This session covers types of dementia, common challenges, SDS Options 1–4, and how to give empowering advice that supports choice, independence, and future planning.

Book your tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/self-directed-support-and-dementia-learning-session-tickets-1982775849942

14/04/2026

We have last few places for our learning session delivered by Alzheimer Scotland on how Self-directed Support (SDS) can help people living with dementia and their care partners.

This session covers types of dementia, common challenges, SDS Options 1–4, and how to give empowering advice that supports choice, independence, and future planning.

Book your tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/self-directed-support-and-dementia-learning-session-tickets-1982775849942