Seminars to focus on Self Directed Support
The Highland Council will be running seminars in Caol, Helmsdale and Inverness next month to highlight Self Directed Support, the new flexible way of providing more personalised social care services.
Entitled “Improving Support, Improving Outcomes”, the seminars will be hosted by John Dever from the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living and are open to everyone interested in finding out how you or those you care for might benefit from Self Directed Support.
Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, Councillor Margaret Davidson is encouraging everyone to take this opportunity to come along and learn more. She said: “Self Directed Support is a new flexible way of providing social care services. It enables people to have more choice and flexibility in choosing services, and allows them to manage their own support in whatever way they feel enriches their lives. The emphasis is very much on choosing services to suit and improve peoples own lifestyles.
“When changes in care provision are introduced, it is crucial that everyone involved can positively move forward together. This is why these seminars are really important and I urge as many people as possible to come along to learn more first hand from John Dever and the other care professionals who will be available to answer any questions.”
The seminars will include topics such as:
• Finding out how you or those you care for might benefit from SDS.
• Learning how SDS increases choice and control for social care.
• Identifying goals for your care support plan.
• Learning about positive risk taking, and striking a balance between risk management and independent living.
The first seminar will take place on Tuesday 1 March from 2pm to 4.30pm at Caol Community Centre, Glenkingie Street, Caol, Fort William.
The following day (Wednesday 2 March 2011) the event will be held in Helmsdale Community Centre on Dunrobin Street from 1pm to 4pm.
Two seminars will be held in Inverness on Thursday 10 March at the Culdulthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue. The first will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and there will be another in the afternoon from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.
All seminars are free but as places are limited they should be booked in advance by visiting www.selfdirectedsupportroadshow.eventbrite.com and completing the online registration form.
For more information please contact the Self Directed Support team by telephoning 01463 703424 or e-mailing sds.info@highland.gov.uk