Self-Directed Care
In Northern Ireland, self-directed support empowers individuals to have more control over their care and support services. These approaches enable you to make choices and decisions about the support you receive, tailoring it to your specific needs and preferences.
Self-Directed Support has changed how social care services, including homecare, are provided to offer more choice, control and flexibility to individuals and families. It enables you to tailor a support package that best suits you or your loved one’s lifestyle.
Self-directed Support may be in the form of direct payments, a managed budget handled by your Health Trust or a mixture of all three.
Self-Directed Support is a unique partnership between families, individuals, carers, and independent sector organisations and Government bodies.
Who can avail of the Self-Directed Support?
Self-Directed Support (SDS) is available to service users or carers who have been assessed as having eligible social care needs by their local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust.
If your care needs have been identified through an assessment and you qualify for social care support, you may be able to choose SDS as a way to manage and arrange your care in a way that suits you best.
Additionally, if you are already receiving services from your HSC Trust but would prefer more control and flexibility over how your support is delivered, you can request to switch to Direct Payments. This means you could receive funding directly to organise all or part of your care yourself.
To explore this option, speak with your Key Worker, who can provide more information and guide you through the process.
Benefits of Self-Directed Support
Self-Directed Support is designed to encourage independence by providing greater flexibility in how social care services are delivered to those who are assessed as eligible. It empowers individuals to take more control over the decisions that shape their lives, offering increased choice, control, and flexibility in managing their own care.
With Self-Directed Support, you can decide what kind of support you receive, as well as when and where it is provided.
For example, you might choose:
- Arrange for support staff to visit at times that suit you
- Hire your own personal assistant
Quick Links / Trusted Resources
You can find out more information at your local Trust website.
- Southeastern Trust – https://setrust.hscni.net/service/self-directed-support/
- Northern Trust – https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/self-directed-support/
- Southern Trust – https://southerntrust.hscni.net/services/learning-disabilities/specialist-services-short-breaks/self-directed-support-and-direct-payments/
- Western Trust – https://westerntrust.hscni.net/services/adult-services/adult-learning-disability-services/self-directed-support/
- Belfast Trust – https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/self-directed-support/
