Self-Funding and Self Directed Support Options (SDS)
Welcome to VSA!
At VSA we have been providing care and support to vulnerable children and adults living in Aberdeen and beyond for 150 years. We support a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing through a range of residential and outreach community support services. We strongly believe in providing everyone with outstanding care and support to enable each person to enjoy life and realise their dreams and potential. Over the past few decades, we have harnessed our expertise, knowledge and experience to enhance and evolve the care services we provide in order to deliver better outcome focused and person-centred care that is unique to each individual. Traditional models of social care services and how they are delivered and funded is changing. At VSA we recognise that each person and the type of care and support they require is unique. That is why our services have been designed in collaboration with people who need and use our services to empower you as an individual to take control of the type of support, care and service you receive to meet your needs, lifestyle and the way you want to live your life. In this brochure we have a range of self-funding and self-directed support options available for you to explore which can meet your needs at different stages in your journey through life. Should you have any questions then please get in touch, as we would be happy to talk further with you to explore the options we have available.
Kenneth Simpson Chief Executive
About VSA As a leading social care charity, with over 150 years of experience, we have always been at the forefront of providing vital care and support to vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen, and beyond. We support people through some of the most challenging times they have ever experienced; we help them to take control of their lives for a brighter and better future. Every day we change lives by supporting a person’s physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing through a wide range of health and social care services such as: residential services and community outreach programmes. Across our services, we help people who are living with: • Poverty • Life long conditions such as Parkinson’s • Loneliness and Isolation • Short- medium term medical conditions • Dementia/Alzheimer’s • Addiction (drug and alcohol) • Learning disabilities • Mental health diagnosis • Learning difficulties We believe in an equal society for every person and the people we support are at the very heart of all of our work. The advantage of our information, care and support is that we are a local based organisation. We have an in-depth understanding of the people of Aberdeen and take a localised approach to all our information and services. We provide over 3 million hours of care each year and support over 20,000* people. *directly and indirectly
OUR IMPACT
20,000
people supported
40 services
16,160 hours volunteered
Care Inspectorate rated our services very good
3,000,000+ = 500 People
hours of care provided
What is Self Directed Support? Self Directed Support (SDS) empowers you to be fully in control of your personalised care budget so that you get the care and support you wish to receive. Traditional models of social care services and how they are delivered and funded is changing. SDS was introduced in 2014, by the Scottish Government, as a way of recognising that each person and the type of care and support they require is unique. As times have changed, so has the way we have delivered our services, but always with one ambition: to give the people of Aberdeen the best of care to enable them to live the best of lives. As your trusted local social care charity, you are at the heart of everything we do. We listen and work with you to take a person centre approach to all of our services. We are committed to ensuring that we support and empower you to achieve the best health and social care outcomes. We have SDS options available across a range of our children’s services and adults’ services. The VSA team is right here for you; ready to provide you with a range of support and care options that can be tailored to meet your needs and budget.
Broomhill Park
Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible? Self-directed support is not for everyone and many people are completely satisfied with receiving services that are arranged by their local authority. However there are a lot of people who could really benefit from having choice and control over the support they receive, such as having support staff visit them at times of their choosing or enjoying the consistency of care that can come from employing your own personal assistants or even the flexibility of using your budget to purchase services that meet your needs more creatively and individually than the services provided by the local authority. SDS funding is available for anyone who has been assessed as eligible. This includes, unpaid carers, children, families, adults and people in their later years in life. Individuals who have been assessed as eligible will then be given different choices to meet their care and support needs. Information and advice is given to help them choose the best option for them.
How do I apply to be assessed and where can I get further information? Each local authority across Scotland should have a dedicated information point. In Aberdeen City, please visit the ‘my life’ portal which provides further information on SDS in the city and how you can get access
I have been assessed but don’t think my budget is enough, what can I do? If you think the money you are offered is not enough, you do not have to accept it. You can dispute the amount offered. You will need to discuss with your council. You can accept the individual budget if you want, while your complaint is being dealt with. If you do not want to do this while your complaint is being considered, you can choose to get arranged services instead.
Can I self fund? Yes you can, for more information about self funding get in touch with our SDS team, they can be reached at sds@vsa.org.uk or on 01224 212021. A member of the team will talk through what your personal needs, requirements and goals are.
VSA A name you can trust Our organisation is registered with the Care Inspectorate and our commitment and dedication to providing the best of care, so that people can live the best of lives, is recognised through their regular independent audits of services which are inspected and regulated by the Care Inspectorate. These audits provide the people we support with peace of mind and reassurance that they are receiving quality care. We have excellent partnership relationships locally with the NHS, Aberdeen City Council, and the Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership; we work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and that you receive the best of care. Throughout the year we also have regular forums / workshop opportunities for people who use our services to provide feedback and help us shape/evolve our existing services and co-design new service so that we continue to provide services that deliver the best outcomes possible for vulnerable people.
VSA ConnectService providing care and respite for Adults aged 18+ Our VSA Connect Service provides vital practical, emotional, social and mental wellbeing support to people living across Aberdeen. Whether you or your loved one is aged 25 or 95, our VSA Connect Service is here for you to help you lead a happy, healthy and meaningful life The service is designed to empower you as an individual to take control of the type of support, care and respite service you recieve to meet your needs, lifestyle and the way you want to live your life.
What services does VSA Connect provide? Our team of highly trained support staff can help you or a loved one with a variety of tasks at home, including: • • •
Personal Care - Learning diability support - Mental health and wellbeing support - Dementia, Parkinson’s and other health related conditions Support with household tasks such as laundry and shopping Respite for unpaid carers .
Our VSA Connect Service is available 24hrs a day, seven days a week.
Location : Aberdeen City Cost of Service: £23 per hour 8am – 10pm, £33 per hour 10pm – 8am This is currently not a registered service with Care Inspectorate.
Payment to be made at time of booking, over the phone. Please call 01224 358144 for more details.
“Above and beyond I’m always asked how I am, which is something that doesn’t happen often as people are more focussed on the ill person and often the carer is forgotten, so it’s nice to be noticed” - Laura Walker
Care at Home There may be times in our lives when some tasks can become more difficult to undertake without help and support. However, this does not mean that there is any reason as to why you should not maintain your independence while living at home. We understand the importance of still being able to live at home, and this is why we have created a new Care at Home service supporting people across all ages living with a mental or physical illness in their own home. Our Care at Home service is designed to empower you as an individual to take control of the type of support, care, and respite service you receive to meet your needs, lifestyle, and the way you want to live your life.
What services does VSA Care at Home provide? We provide specially trained support workers who can offer a wide variety of support: • Meal Preparation • Medication Reminders • Personal care, including washing, dressing, or showering • Help with laundry and cleaning • Shopping • Social interaction including taking part in activities such as a walk in the park, trip to the shops, reminiscence/music therapy, quizzes, board games etc
What are the benefits of our Care at Home service? • • • •
Maintaining independence in your own home while ensuring your safety and wellbeing. A care plan designed for you and with you - we listen and work with you to create a bespoke plan. We are committed to ensuring that we support and empower you to achieve the best health and social care outcomes. A professional team with years of experience in providing care.
Our Care at Home service is available 24hrs a day, seven days a week. Location: Aberdeen City Cost of Service: £23 per hour 8am – 10pm, £33 per hour 10pm – 8am Payment to be made at time of booking, over the phone. Please call 01224 358144 for more details.
Trainee Day Placement Easter Anguston Farm – Learning Disability aged 16+ Providing lifelong learning opportunities for those with additional support needs. VSA Easter Anguston is an operational farm which serves as a training facility with outcome-based opportunities for adults with learning difficulties, mental health challenges, acquired brain injuries and physical disabilities. The farm is situated just off the A93 road towards Banchory in Peterculter and has 70 acres of arable land.
Easter Anguston Farm has an established history, and reputation, with over 30 years delivering a unique training opportunity; plus excellent support to trainees through its highly qualified and trained staff. Trainees generally work in small groups (3-4) led by a qualified support worker with expertise in that area. However, on occasion and where appropriate, will work more independently on projects with supervision e.g. tractor work and specific animal activities. This helps further develop their independence and self-confidence, aiding self-esteem within the group and in the community they live in. Our trainees gain an overall understanding of a working placement, helping build self-esteem and confidence and preparing those that are able to look for additional or further employment. Currently 25% of the trainees attending have achieved subsequent other employment in the community, using some of the skills gained at the Training Centre. The plans are developed to ensure they are appropriate for each of their individual learning ability. Our staff will then work individually with the trainee to reach these aims and goals with regularly reviews of progress. Location: Easter Anguston Farm Trainee Day Placements are available: Monday - Thursday Cost per day: £61 Please call 01224 733627 for further information
Friends for Life Club additional support needs ages 6-18 Our Friends for Life Club provides children and young people living with additional support needs (ASN) a stimulating environment where they can build friendships through social interaction, learn new skills and build confidence.
Children and young people living with an ASN may find it difficult interacting with peers in a mainstream club. Attending our FFL, provides an opportunity to socially interact, hang out and have fun with other children and young people who also have an additional support need. Our specially trained staff, and volunteers, work with the young people attending the clubs to develop friendships; build new skills and take part in a wide range of fun and interactive activities. Our clubs are categorised by age: • Primary school • Secondary school Each club offers: • FUN and lots of it! • Interaction with new people of the same age • Learning to be independent and develop social skills • A variety of indoor and outdoor activities - including sports and art • Specially trained staff who can respond to the needs of club members As your child gets older, the transition between each club is simple and stress free. Your child would simply transfer with their friends to the next club where activities are more age/stage appropriate, allowing any friendships made to continue throughout life. Location: Broomhill Activity Centre Days and Times: Saturdays, am and pm Cost per hour: £15
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Talk to us The first step in to get in touch with our SDS team, they can be reached at sds@vsa.org.uk or on 01224 212021. A member of the team will talk through what your personal needs, requirements and goals are. From there we will then discuss if you have an agreed budget in place with the local authority and how you plan to spend and manage your SDS budget.
Care Standards At VSA we are committed to providing the highest level of care possible to ensure the health and wellbeing of all the vulnerable people we are entrusted to provide care and support for.
• All of our services are registered and regulated by the Care Inspectorate and copies of our latest inspection reports can be found at www.careinspectorate.com/
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We adhere to all the latest regulation and guidance provided to the health and social care sector
• Our own robust quality assurance processes allow us to put what we do under scrutiny, to make an honest appraisal of how we’re doing and measure our performance against national standards
• All our employees undergo a thorough Disclosure and Barring Service check and receive regular training
• We seek regular feedback for everyone who uses our services to help evolve our services in delivering better outcomes for people
• We take health and safety regulations and guidance very seriously and we have robust infection control measures and risk assessments across all of our sites
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Our care is tailored to your individual needs and requirements
VSA Vision , Values and Mission
Our Values The charity is founded upon values that reflect a desire to engage with and listen to the people who need and use our services, volunteers, partners and staff.
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People who are in need of our services and support will be at the heart of our policies, planning and work
Our Mission
“T o provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential .”
Our Vision VSA has a vision for what we want the charity to achieve over the long term: "To build a strong and caring community."
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We will work to provide the best care to meet the needs of people who use our services
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We will embrace, promote and foster partnerships to deliver our services in the most inclusive way for individuals in our care
We will respect and value the people we work with – those who need and use our services, partner organisations, volunteers and staff – treating them with kindness and dignity
vsa.org.uk vsa aberdeen
@supportvsa
@supportvsa
support vsa
info@vsa.org.uk | 01224 212021 | 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen AB11 5YU
Patron: Her Majesty the Queen President: Lord Provost of Aberdeen Chief Executive: Dr Kenneth Simpson BA BSc MPA (Hon) DBA CMgr FCMI FloD FRSA.Registered in Scotland as Aberdeen Association of Social Service, operating as VSA Company Registration No. SC018487; Registered Scottish Charity Number SC012950