Cornerstone SDS - Aberdeen

													
Cornerstone SDS is an impartial advisory service, created to provide you with all the information you need to choose the best possible care for you through SDS. 
We offer information, advice and support  to anyone living within Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray on Self-Directed Support and how the four options can offer the choice and flexibility and signpost individuals to local Authorities if required for assessment on eligibility
We offer support for all options under self directed support. We can meet with individuals eligible for Self directed support and discuss all the options available to them, so they are able to make an informed choice.
•	Option 1-Direct payment – 
We support individuals with any support planning including liaising with local authority staff. Once the support plan has been completed and approved we support individuals to develop and publish adverts for the recruitment of their personal assistants. All elements of the recruitment process i.e. distributing application forms and arranging interviews are undertaken and supported by the SDS advisors and admin team. The advisors will support individuals to conduct interviews and ensure all the paperwork required for employment is completed. In addition to supporting the recruitment process the advisors will also assist the individual to set up the necessary payroll services, employment law services and Insurance cover. Once the package has been started the advisors continue to work with the individuals to ensure packages are working smoothly and provide them ongoing support as an employer.
•	Option 2-Individual Service Fund
We can help by advising individuals of the ISF providers available to them in the location they live in. Cornerstone is also a  registered ISF provider. As an ISF provider we can support you to find the best fit for your outcomes and source service providers on your behalf. We would then liaises between the individual, local authority and service providers to ensure the smooth running of a package. We would hold the individuals budget on their behalf and pay invoices for their package, and provide detailed returns to local authority and the individual. Throughout the individuals ISF package we would liaise with them and all other stakeholders to ensure the package is being achieved. 
•	Option 3-Traditional services
We can  signpost an individual to local authority if they feel they are eligible for self directed support, we can also help individuals understand the criteria for being eligible. 
•	Option 4-Mixed methods
We offer a resourcing service that is free to use by anyone not just those eligible for Self directed support we can help you source an activity, community event. We can also liaise with other shareholders on the individual’s behalf if they have a mixed option. For instance option 1 and option 2.
Other Areas we offer support:
•	We can provide training in SDS to practitioners
•	 We can help set up peer related groups.
•	 We can signpost you to other agencies 
•	 We raise awareness of self directed support and its implementations according to legislation. 
•	Identify some keywords that can be used in a search facility relating to your service #your choice #your way #your support
•	Any cost to customers/attendees for services provided Local Authority funded unless financially assessed as otherwise