(View list of all On the Record articles.)

As part of the Festival of Ideas, Glasgow Social Care Providers Forum produced a newspaper filled with stories about Self Directed Support.

Some of the stories were from people who had decided to manage their own budgets by opting to take part in a trial of Self Directed Support run by Glasgow Social Work in the east end of the city.

One of them, Linda Kaze describes in great detail how going onto Self Directed Support was like getting her life back because she felt her traditional care regime was very restrictive. (Click here to read Linda’s Story.)

Other stories were from people who needed help to express their hopes and dreams through an innovative animation project featuring Wallace and Gromit style puppets. The project run by Enable and Theatre Nemo helped them on the road to their own personal self directed support packages. (Click here to read Alan’s Story “My Dream, My Life”.)

On the Record also contained a wealth of features from service providers speaking frankly about the challenges of changing their business model from providing traditional care options to supporting people who opt to control their own budgets. (Click here to read about Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living on Self Directed Support.)

These stories cast a fascinating insight into different aspects of Self Directed Support and start to explore some of the issues that are involved in delivering such revolutionary change.

GSCPF Director Charlie Barker said: “On the Record has been tremendously well received by everyone who managed to get their hands on a copy.

“It takes the world of self directed support out of the realm of official reports and into the pages of newspaper which explores the issues by revealing how they affect ordinary people and service providers.

“I am sure you will enjoy reading their stories.”

On the Record Articles:

• The Bigger the Provider – The Bigger the Challenge
  “Quarriers, Scotland’s third largest charity, is totally committed to the principles of Self Directed Support, despite recognising that, as one of the country’s largest service providers, they will arguably face the biggest challenges.”
• Budgeting For Holidays Rather Than Respite
  “Debbie Miller, a practice team leader based in Riddrie, believes her client group of young people with learning disabilities will find Self Directed Support particularly appealing, especially those leaving school and looking for support from adult services for the first time.”
• Linda’s Story
  “Linda Kaze became the first person with a physical disability to participate in Glasgow’s Self Directed Support pilot project.”
• More for Less with Help from Amazon’s Approach
  “As Head of Service Modernisation for Glasgow’s Social Work Department Stephen Fitzpatrick sees real opportunities for Self Directed Support to help the council get ‘More For Less’ as it grapples with major budget reductions.”
• My Dream, My Life
  “As part of the Festival of Ideas, Glasgow Social Care Providers Forum funded Enable Scotland and Theatre Nemo to engage 3 self directed support applicants in a six-week animation programme.”
• Planning Ahead to Provide
  “Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living is gearing up to pitch for business in the brave new world of Self Directed Support, even though they have not even been asked to change, at this stage.”
• Self Directed Support – A Super Highway to Independent Living
  “Margaret Wheatley is Glasgow City Council Social Work’s Lead Officer for Self Directed Support and is in charge of the ground breaking pilot scheme in the East End of the city.”
• Treating People as Individuals and Not Passive Recipients of Services
  “As an Area Manager with The Richmond Fellowship Scotland, Karen Robertson can see a lot of practical challenges with Self Directed Support as well as potential benefits.”