Self-directed Support (SDS) is how social care is arranged in Scotland under the 2013 Act. After a council needs assessment, you're offered four options for managing your funded support — giving you real choice and control over who provides your care. You can also pay privately to top up your hours.
What is Self-directed Support?
Self-directed Support is the legal framework for social care in Scotland, introduced by the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. The idea is simple: once your local council has assessed your needs and agreed a budget, you should have a say in how that support is delivered — and by whom.
It applies to all kinds of care at home, including support for older people, people with a physical disability, and adults with a learning disability. Your social worker will explain the budget available; the four options below decide how it's managed.
The four SDS options
Everyone offered funded support in Scotland is offered the same four choices. There's no "right" one — it depends on how much control you want.
Using SDS to top up your care
A council budget is based on assessed need — not always on everything you'd like. If you want more visits, longer calls, or extra companionship, you can usually keep your funded hours and pay privately for additional hours on top, often from the same provider so the team stays consistent.
The result: the level and quality of support you actually want, while making the most of the funding you're entitled to.
How to choose the best care at home company
With Option 1 or Option 2, the choice of provider is yours. Here's what's worth asking before you decide.
Care Inspectorate grades
Ask for their latest inspection grades and read the report on careinspectorate.com. Look for how they responded to any findings, not just the numbers.
Consistent carers
Will you see the same small team, or a different face each visit? Continuity is one of the biggest drivers of good care at home.
Real visit length
Check that visit times are honoured and not rushed. Ask how they monitor late or missed visits.
SSSC-registered carers
Are carers employed by the company, SSSC-registered and PVG-checked? Eidyn Care employs every carer directly.
Flexibility & notice
Can you change the amount or type of care as needs change? Are you tied into a long contract? You shouldn't have to be.
Local & reachable
Is there a local office and a real person who answers the phone? Ask who you'd speak to if something went wrong at the weekend.
Why families choose Eidyn Care
We're a family-run, multi award-winning care at home company serving Fife and Edinburgh since 2017. Every carer — our Eidyn Angels — is SSSC-registered, directly employed, values-recruited and PVG-checked, and we use electronic care plans and real-time scheduling to keep care safe and on time. We can deliver support funded through SDS, privately, or a mix of both. We're a proud Living Wage employer.
If you're arranging supported living or learning disability support, we'll happily walk you through the funding options too.
Common questions
How do I get a Self-directed Support budget?
Contact your local council's social work team and ask for a care needs assessment. If you're assessed as eligible for funded support, they'll agree a budget and offer you the four options for how it's managed.
Can I choose my own care at home provider?
Yes. With a Direct Payment (Option 1) or an Individual Service Fund (Option 2), you choose the provider — they don't have to be the council's default. That's how you can pick a company like Eidyn Care.
Can I pay privately to top up my funded hours?
Often, yes. If your budget doesn't cover everything you'd like, you can usually add privately paid hours on top. Agree any top-up with your social worker so your support plan and funded hours stay clear.
Is SDS only for older people?
No. SDS applies to anyone in Scotland assessed as eligible for social care — including adults with a learning disability, people with a physical disability, and people of working age, not just older people.
Do you only take privately funded clients?
We support people funded through SDS, privately, and through a combination of the two. Call us and we'll talk through what fits your situation.
Not sure where to start? Just ask.
A free, no-obligation conversation about your options — funding included. No jargon, no pressure.