Care and Support in Scotland

Copyright

© Crown copyright, 2014

You may use and re-use this publication (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v2.0.

Any email enquiries regarding the use and re-use of this information resource should be sent to: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

First published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-317-8 (web only)

E-book in EPUB format first published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-318-5 (EPUB)

E-book in MOBI format first published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-319-2 (MOBI)

The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

Produced for The Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA
DPPAS24621 (06/14)

Published by The Scottish Government, June 2014

Care and Support in Scotland

Statement of values and principles

This statement relates to:

people of all ages who are eligible for care and support, or who may require it in the future

carers

people who provide support in voluntary and independent
sector organisations

people who provide support in local authorities and the NHS, and people in inspection and monitoring agencies

The statement is based on a human rights approach. This means that, to realise such rights, all forms of discrimination must be prohibited, prevented and eliminated. Many people rely on social care to ensure they can participate in society and live as equal citizens. Thus the allocation and provision of social care must take account of the vital role it has to play in ensuring those who use social care can enjoy the same human rights as people who do not. A human rights-based approach requires the recognition of rights as legally enforceable entitlements and is linked in to national and international human rights law.

This statement recognises that the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 is intended to change the way that care and support is delivered, collectively making the principles of choice and control central to care and support, and giving individuals full opportunity to take control of their support and their lives.

This statement also recognises that the 2013 Act is underpinned by the concept of independent living. This assures that, as with all citizens within the community at large, those who use health and social services, including disabled people of all ages, have the same personal freedom, choice, dignity and control, at home, at work, and in the community. It does not mean people living by, or fending for, themselves. It means rights to practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.

Our values

Our established ideals, the things that we regard as fundamental.

Respect
Fairness
Independence
Freedom
Safety

Our principles

The principles of Collaboration, Dignity, Informed Choice, Involvement and Participation are drawn from the Social Care (Self-directed Support) Scotland Act 2013; Innovation, Responsibility and Risk Enablement have been added to reflect the opportunity for creative and flexible approaches to care and support, the table describes how we will put the five values into practice.

Principle
This means…

Collaboration
Individuals are supported to achieve better outcomes in their lives

Dignity
A person's right to dignity is facilitated throughout the support they receive

Informed Choice
People are supported to make informed choices based on impartial information about their eligibility for support, the choices available to them and their aspirations

Involvement
Co-production enables people to be involved in a genuine and active way at all stages of their support, to be supported to know their rights; to participate in the development of local policies and practices; to articulate their personal outcomes and to plan, manage and deliver their support; and play an active part in their communities

Participation
Everyone has the right to participate in decisions which affect their lives. Therefore, people are supported to participate freely and equally in their community and wider society

Innovation
People are supported to develop creative and flexible solutions in order to meet their personal outcomes

Responsibility
People are supported to take responsibility for the choices they make and the control they take over the activities to meet their agreed outcomes

Risk Enablement
People are empowered and trusted to set the parameters of their own risks and make the choices which will impact on their lives

Our Commitment

The following organisations, as members of the relevant national steering groups to support the implementation of Self-directed Support, sign up to this statement.

We recognise the statement as important, as something which should guide and inform how we provide care and support across Scotland. We will use this as the starting point for all aspects of care and support from individual assessments and support packages to local plans, strategies and policies.

We will adhere to the values in our day-to-day practice, strategies, work plans, training, workforce development and all other aspects of our work.

We will review and improve this statement on an annual basis.