Blog

07.05.2021

Consultation on funding for independent support sector

This consultation is now closed.

Following the success of the Support in the Right Direction (SiRD) funding programme, which empowers people to be equal partners in their social care and support decisions, Inspiring Scotland is opening a consultation for the independent support sector and other key partners. This consultation aims to gather views on the priorities for funding within the sector and to identify any gaps in provision. We want to understand how service provision and the need for funding have changed since the introduction of the SiRD funding programme in October 2018.

Any potential new funding for independent support is subject to decisions by Scottish Ministers later this year and therefore no new funding will be announced during the consultation. However, feedback is being sought now so that any potential new SiRD programme could be put in place for April 2022. Views are welcomed from:

• independent support and advocacy organisations,
• carers’ centres,
• health and social care partnerships,
• other national partners and stakeholders,
• any other groups with an interest in how funding is designed for independent support and advocacy.

Inspiring Scotland CEO Celia Tennant said:

“Over the past six years Inspiring Scotland has worked in partnership with Scottish Government to deliver Support in the Right Direction, funding independent support to empower people to have choice and control over their social care and support decisions.

“We look forward to consulting on priorities for any future SiRD funding, taking into consideration the impact of the pandemic on independent support.”

Have your say 

Thank you to everyone who took part in the online surveys and virtual discussion events during May. These have now closed but if you have feedback you would like to share please email sirdenquiries@inspiringscotland.org.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information please read our Frequently Asked Questions Document.

Background

Inspiring Scotland is the Scottish Government’s delivery partner for the Support in the Right Direction 2021 (SiRD2021) programme. The aim of SiRD2021 is to increase the delivery of independent support for people who require social care. Self-directed Support is Scotland’s mainstream approach to social care. As Fund managers for the Scottish Government, Inspiring Scotland support the performance management, monitoring and evaluation of these projects.