Direct Payments in Scotland Training: Adopting a Person-Centred Approach
This session provides a concise history of Direct Payments in Scotland, the context behind the 2013 Self-directed Support Act, and the recent extension of Direct Payments to unpaid carers. Participants will build confidence in person-centred practice, including using circles of support and one-page profiles to match workers with individuals receiving Direct Payments. The session also highlights the role of user-led organisations and how frontline staff can work creatively with partners to meet outcomes, think beyond traditional services, and support people to manage their Direct Payment budgets effectively
⭐ Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Create an understanding of what Direct Payments are and why they matter in Scottish social care.
• Evaluate how Direct Payments and person-centred approaches can be used confidently in their own practice.
• Analyse the benefits of working in a personalised, flexible, and outcomes-focused way.
• Apply creative, person-centred methods such as circles of support and one-page profiles.
• Understand the value of adopting innovative approaches that place choice and control with the individual.
• Remember to reflect on how it might feel to be a service user navigating support systems and managing a Direct Payment.
⭐ Programme Outline
• A brief history of Direct Payments in Scotland and how the approach has evolved.
• Implementing the Self-directed Support (Scotland) Act 2013, with a reminder that Direct Payments are only one of the four SDS options.
• Exploring how frontline staff can confidently adopt creative, person-centred approaches that place individuals at the heart of their support.
• Using circles of support and one-page profiles to match workers effectively and empower service users.
• Understanding the role of user-led organisations and how collaborative, “out-of-the-box” thinking can help meet outcomes without defaulting to cost- or tradition-driven limitations.
⭐ Trainer Bio :-
Jennifer Campbell is a social worker and educator committed to empowering people with disabilities to shape their own lives. She began her career in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, where she saw how often individuals were expected to fit into services rather than have support tailored to their needs. This experience motivated her to train as a social worker with a strong focus on choice, control, and person-centred practice. Working in community care throughout the 1990s, Jennifer became familiar with the limitations of the Single Shared Assessment and welcomed the introduction of more flexible approaches including direct payments. As Self-directed Support (SDS) Team Manager for NHS Highland from 2011 to 2016, she played a key role during the implementation of the Adult Social Care Self-directed Support (Scotland) Act 2013, championing creative approaches to managing direct payments. She collaborated closely with the Scottish Government, SDS Scotland, and In Control Scotland, and even helped design a children’s Resource Allocation System during a memorable train journey between Edinburgh and Inverness. Jennifer is passionate about one-page profiles and has used them both to match staff to individuals and to support social work students in practice learning. Known for her lively, interactive training style, she encourages participants to fully engage—often by creating their own one-page profile.
Delivered using MS Teams in an interactive virtual classroom with limited group sizes. Corporate multi booking rates available - contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk for details.
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