Each Action contained within East Dunbartonshire HSCP’s Self-Directed Support Implementation Plan for the following three years has been identified as meeting one of more National Self-Directed Support Standards; National Improvement Plan Outcomes; and East Dunbartonshire HSCP’s Strategic Plan priorities.

More details about these can be read in full using the web links below:

National Self-Directed Support Standards 
National Self-Directed Support Improvement Plan Outcomes
East Dunbartonshire HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

If you would like additional information or clarification on the content of this Implementation Plan please contact:

East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership
Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
10 Saramago Street Kirkintilloch
G66 3BF
Tel: 0141 777 3000
Email: customerservices@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

High priority actions

The HSCP will work in partnership with third sector partners, customers, carers and national groups to undertake the actions categorised as ‘High’ during 2024 – 2025.

Action

SDS Staff Training Programme

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s
1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced workers’ skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Raising awareness across all stakeholders about assessment, support planning and SDS

Responsible

SDS Lead; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

1, 3, 4, 8, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and Early Intervention, Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Third sector organisations represented on Locality Planning Groups

Responsible

HSCP
Locality Planning Leads; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities

Action

In partnership with third sector organisations, raise awareness about
early intervention, prevention and community assets

Responsible

HSCP Social Work Practitioners; SDS Lead; Third Sector Organisations

National SDS Standard/s

2

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support; Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and
Early Intervention; Improving Mental Health and Recovery; Post
Pandemic Renewal

Action

Adoption of the Asset Based Support Planning (Just Enough Support) via training and mentorship for SW practitioners

Responsible

Just Enough Support HSCP Trainers; SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3, 4 , 5, 7, 9, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Systems and culture; Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers; Prevention
and Early Intervention

Action

Evaluation of SDS procedures and processes and impact for customers and carers

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering people; Supporting Families and Carers, Maximising Operational Integration

Action

SDS Operational Procedures Training programme for Social Work Practitioners

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3, 4, 5, 6, 8

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker's skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Assessment and Support Management Procedures to be included in Social Work Induction

Responsible

HSCP Social Work Team Managers

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker's skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Outcomes performance data to be adopted as a standing agenda item on the HSCP’s Social Care Operational Reporting
Requirements Group

Responsible

HSCP SMT

National SDS Standard/s

4

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

End Date


Notes

Action

Promote the use of East Dunbartonshire Community Assets Map

Responsible

SDS Lead; HSCP; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

7

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Review the Adult Service Referral Screening Tool to include discussion re asset based supports and signposting

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

7, 8

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture; Leaders understand and help staff to realise SDS principles and values; Supported person and carer's choice over their
support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Promote the continued inclusion of benefits advice and signposting as part of the assessment and support planning process

Responsible

HSCP Practitioners

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer’s choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Promote the consistent application of the Customer Contribution Policy for Non- Residential Community
Care Services

Responsible

SDS Lead; HSCP Team Managers; HSCP Practitioners

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Invite Customers and/or Carers to share their SDS experiences in the HSCP's Annual SDS Newsletter

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer’s choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Feedback process to Social Work Practitioners from Resource Screening Groups

Responsible

RSG Panels

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Medium priority actions

The HSCP will work in partnership with third sector partners, customers, carers and national groups to undertake the actions categorised as ‘Medium’ during 2025 – 2026.

Action

Robust and collaborative commissioning processes are in place to ensure that the support commissioned meets the needs of the customers and carers

Responsible

EDC Strategic Commissioning Team; HSCP

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore opportunities for advocacy and SDS information, advice and support services to be closer aligned.

Responsible

HSCP SMT; EDC Strategic Commissioning Team

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan  Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

SDS principles and values Families and Carers

Action

HSCP to explore timeous procurement and tendering activities with third sector partners with agreed funding levels.

Responsible

HSCP SMT; EDC Strategic Commissioning Team

National SDS Standard/s

1, 2, 7

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and Early Intervention, Supporting Families and Carers; Maximising
Operational Integration

Action

HSCP induction to include input from third sector partners.

Responsible

HSCP OD Team;

National SDS Standard/s

1, 3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice organisations autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

HSCP Teams to invite third sector partners to update about their services at team/service meetings

Responsible

HSCP Team and Service Managers; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Raise awareness about third sector organisations and their role during SDS awareness sessions

Responsible

SDS Lead; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Raising awareness about the role of the HSCP, legislative framework, including budgetary and resource constraints during SDS
awareness sessions

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

1

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; System and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities

Action

Timeous referrals to third sector organisations during screening, assessment and support planning processes

Responsible

HSCP Teams and Team Managers

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Outcome performance management analysis, split by SDS option, to be reported regularly.

Responsible

SDS Lead; HSCP SMT; Social Work Team Managers

National SDS Standard/s

3, 4

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Review SDS operational procedures and incorporate changes based on the analysis of SDS consultation feedback

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3, 8, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Bi-annual SDS Business Development Group meetings ensuring representation from Third Sector partners and Social Work teams

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Empowering Communities; Supporting Families and Carers; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Continued promotion and development of the use of creative and innovation support packages

Responsible

SDS Lead; Social Work Team Managers, Resource Screening Groups

National SDS Standard/s

6, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Supported person and carer's choice over their support; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Supporting Families and Carers; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Work in partnership with Third Sector partners to promote and develop new community assets for older people

Responsible

Older People Local Area Co-ordination Team; Third Sector Partners

National SDS Standard/s

7

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Empowering Communities; Prevention and Early Intervention

Action

Explore the feasibility and viability of developing a Fair Access to Social Care Services Policy for Children and Families 

Responsible

HSCP SMT; Children and Families Management Team; SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

8, 9, 11, 12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and culture; Leaders understand and help staff to realise SDS principles and values; Enhanced worker's skills, practice and autonomy

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Supporting Families and Carers; Prevention and Early Intervention

Low priority actions

The HSCP will work in partnership with third sector partners, customers, carers and national groups to undertake the actions categorised as ‘Low’ during 2026 - 2027.

Action

Re-invigoration of third sector provider forums providing a distinction between third and independent sectors and to ensure organisations are not operating in silo

Responsible

EDC Strategic Commissioning Team

National SDS Standard/s

1, 2

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture; Leaders understand and help staff to realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering Communities; Post Pandemic Renewal, Maximising Operational Integration

Action

Develop the use of ethical commissioning workshops for strategic commissioning which includes representation from third sector partners

Responsible

EDC Strategic Commissioning Team

National SDS Standard/s

1, 6

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

System and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering Communities

Action

Deliver ‘Good Conversation’, ‘Outcomes’; and ‘SDS’ training via e-modules on the Council Moodle Training platform

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

3, 4, 5, 7, 8

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Re-invigoration of SDS stakeholders group to ensure available peer support

Responsible

Independent SDS information, advice and support service

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering people; post pandemic renewal; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore the identification of outcomes achieved via care at home services

Responsible

HSCP SMT; Council Performance Management Team; Care at Home
Service

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore, in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council, the implementation of a Direct Payment Prepaid Card System

Responsible

EDC Transformation Project; Shared Services; SDS Lead; HSCP SMT

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore the feasibility and viability of implementing a local social care bureau

Responsible

HSCP SMT

National SDS Standard/s

3

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Supporting Families and Carers; Maximising Operational Integration

Action

Explore the feasibility and viability of implementing a twice yearly 'SDS Lessons Learnt' panel across Adult and Children’s
Social Work Teams

Responsible

SDS Lead; HSCP SMT; Social Work Team Managers

National SDS Standard/s

5

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People, Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore a mechanism for recording and analysing informal social work complaints resolved at a team level.

Responsible

HSCP SMT; Carefirst Team; Social Work Team Managers

National SDS Standard/s

5

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

Explore the delivery of training opportunities in the subject of 'supported decision- making'

Responsible

HSCP SMT; SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

6

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Enhanced worker skills, practice and autonomy; Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Explore the possibility, of introducing an SDS Option 2 contract for non-traditional support

Responsible

EDC Strategic Commissioning Team

National SDS Standard/s

7

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Systems and Culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People

Action

The HSCP will participate in national working groups which explore national directives for delegated parameters for worker autonomy with respect to Individual Budgets

Responsible

HSCP SMT; SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

8,12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff to realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

The HSCP will participate in relevant and applicable national working groups

Responsible

HSCP SMT; SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

11

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff to realise SDS principles and values

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

The HSCP will undertake a programme of reviewing all SDS public information

Responsible

SDS Lead

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer's choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

Ensure all stakeholders are signposted to SDS information resources

Responsible

SDS Lead; Social Work Practitioners

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Supported person and carer’s choice over their support

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers

Action

The HSCP will participate in all relevant and applicable national working groups related to inclusion of Health Budgets for Option 1 and 2 and include local discussion with relevant HSCP management staff

Responsible

SDS Lead; HSCP SMT

National SDS Standard/s

12

National SDS Improvement Plan Outcome/s

Leaders understand and help staff realise SDS principles and values; Systems and culture

HSCP Strategic Plan Priorities

Empowering People; Supporting Families and Carers