Links

Support Services

Local authorities can give you details of local support services and organisations that can offer advice, information and services, or you can choose the appropriate organisation from the following list.

Local Area Coordinators ( LACS)

If you or your child needs learning disability services, local area coordinators (LACS) may be able to assist you with care planning. Not all areas in Scotland have a LAC, and some LACS only cover specific places in their local authority area. You can find up to date LAC contact details on the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability website or at the following site www.scld.org.uk/scld-projects/local-area-co-ordination.xhtm

Other Statutory Bodies and Support Organisations for disabled and older people and children

Capability Scotland
(Disability organisation working with children, adults and families)

Advice Service Capability Scotland (ASCS)
11 Ellersly Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6HY
Telephone: 0131 313 5510
Email: ascs@capability-scotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk

Care Commission

Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Telephone: 01382 207100
Telephone: 0845 603 0890 (Local rate applies)
The Care Commission can be contacted at its Headquarters, as above, or at regional offices listed on the website: http://www.carecommission.com/

Contact a Family Scotland (For families with disabled children)

Craigmiller Social Enterprise and Arts Centre
11/9 Harewood Road
Edinburgh
EH16 4NT
Telephone: 0131 659 2930
Email: scotland.office@cafamily.org.uk
Website: http://www.cafamily.org.uk Helpline 0808 808 3555 (Free phone for parents and families: 10.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday, 5.30pm to- 7.30pm Mondays only)
Text phone: 0808 808 3556
Website: http://www.cafamily.org.uk/helpline.html

HM Revenue & Customs

New Employer Helpline
Helpline: 0845 6070 143
Monday-Friday 8.00am-8.00pm
Saturday-Sunday 8.00am-5.00pm
Text phone: 0845 602 1380 (for employers who are deaf or hard of hearing)
Website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/new-emp-telephone.htm

Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland

K Floor, Argyle House,
3 Lady Lawson Street,
Edinburgh
EH3 9SH
Telephone: 0131 222 6111
Email: enquiries@mwcscot.org.uk
Website: http://www.mwcscot.org.uk

Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability ( SCLD)

Room 16
Adelphi Centre
12 Commercial Road
Glasgow
G5 0DQ
Telephone: 0141 418 5420
Fax: 0141 429 1142
E-mail: administrator@scld.co.uk
Website: http://www.scld.org.uk/

Scottish Helpline for Older People (SHOP)

Scottish Helpline for Older People
Age Concern Scotland
Causewayside House
160 Causewayside
Edinburgh
EH9 1PR
Helpline: 0845 125 9732 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am - 4.00pm)

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Melrose House
69a George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2JG
Telephone: 0131 260 5380
Email: enquiry@siaa.org.uk
Website: www.siaa.org.uk

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)

Freepost EH641
Edinburgh
EH3 0BR
Telephone: 0800 377 7330
Email: ask@spso.org.uk
Website: http://www.spso.org.uk

Self-Directed Support Scotland

(formerly Scottish Consortium of Direct Payments Support Organisations)

c/o GCIL
117-127 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 3AP (Interim address)
Tel: 0141 550 7459 (Interim phone number)
Email: sdsscotland@btinternet.com
Website: www.sdsscotland.org.uk

UPDATE (Disability Information Service)

27 Beaverhall Road
Edinburgh
EH7 4JE
Telephone: 0131 558 5200
Fax: 0131 558 5202
E-mail: info@update.org.uk
Website: www.update.org.uk
Or for a direct link to their information on self-directed support
see http://www.update.org.uk/staff/web_faq_public__list_directpays.php

Voices of eXperience (VOX)

(National mental health service user led organisation)

c/o The Mental Health Foundation (Scotland)
5 th Floor Merchants House
30 George Square
Glasgow
G2 1EG
Telephone: 0141 572 1663
Email: voxscotland@yahoo.co.uk
Website: http://www.voxscotland.org.uk

Useful Publications

1. National guidance on self-directed support (2007)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/07/04093127/0

2. Scottish consortium for learning disability (2005) An easy guide to direct payments in Scotland
http://www.scld.org.uk/library-publications/scld-publications.xhtml

3. Contact a Family Scotland (2007) A parents' guide to direct payments in Scotland
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/directpaymentsscotland.pdf

4. Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living
http://www.lothiancil.org.uk/ A number of factsheets and downloads are available in relation to independent living services provided.

5. Scottish Personal Assistant Employers network SPAEN
http://www.spaen.co.uk A number of leaflets are available on becoming a personal assistant (PA) employer.

The following publications are useful for their general approach, but references to legislation and regulations all relate to the laws of England and Wales. Self-directed supportSDS in Scotland operates under legislation specific to Scotland.

6. Department of Health (2006). A parent's guide to direct payments.
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/socialcare/disabledchildren/directpaymentfaqs

7. Department of Health (2006). Direct payments for people with mental health problems, a guide to action.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4131060

8. National Centre for Independent Living (2001) Direct payments for mental health users/survivors: A guide to some key issues.