The Self-directed Support Practitioner Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed by the Social Work Scotland Self-directed Support project in collaboration with our stakeholders. It will connect you to relevant practice resources located in the Self-directed Support Library and online to support both your relationship-based practice and the implementation of the Self-directed Support Standards.

Gaps have been identified in Self-directed Support practice resources for people with sensory loss, people with mental health conditions, unpaid carers, and Black and Minority Ethnic Communities. We have developed specific resources to fill these gaps and they are contained in this toolkit.
This toolkit should be used alongside your local authority’s Self-directed Support policies, processes, practice guidance and resources.

The Self-directed Support Toolkit was updated in 2025, and you can download it from the following link:

• Self-directed Support Learning and Improvement Framework (2025) (PDF)

We hope this toolkit will help to address some of the challenges identified by supported people, children and families, unpaid carers and practitioners encouraging both creative thinking and co-production in Self-directed Support.

The toolkit should also help your practice when considering your statutory duties and responsibilities contained in the detailed Self-directed Support Statutory Guidance and in the implementation of the Self-directed Support Standards.

You may also find these other resources useful:

• Self-directed Support (SDS) Framework of Standards (2024)
• SDS Standard 13 - Direct Payments to employ Personal Assistants (2025)
• Self-directed Support Practitioner Toolkit (PDF)

• SDS Seminars - videos on a wide range of topics
• Reflections on Practice - Self-directed Support (2024)
• Self-directed Support Learning and Improvement Framework and supporting resources