Direct Payments Scheme
What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are cash payments that can be made to people instead of receiving a service arranged for them by Social Services, if they have been assessed as needing services. A Direct Payment can give more flexibility in how services are provided to enable people to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered. Social Services gives you the money to become the employer of your own personal assistants or to purchase appropriate services.
This means that you can choose not only who assists you, but how and when you receive that assistance. So you have more control, choice and flexibility in your care.
Who can get Direct Payments?
You are eligible if you are:- over 16 years of age
- a parent of a child with a disability
- a carer aged 16 or over
- entitled to Community Care services (you will probably already be receiving services) and
- willing and capable of managing the scheme (with support if necessary)
How can I use the money?
A Direct Payment can be made for you to purchase services or employ staff instead of receiving arranged services. This can include:
- Domiciliary personal care.
- Day Centre attendance.
- Respite care.
- Equipment and adaptations (not those funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant).
What support is there?
The Direct Payments Support Service provided by Poole Rights Organisation on Disability (PRO Disability) will be able to assist you. They are a local organisation of disabled people in Poole working to promote the rights of the disabled community. One of their support workers can help you with all aspects of establishing your scheme including:
- budgeting and keeping financial records
- job descriptions
- recruitment, contracts and insurance.
They can provide you with ongoing support through their payroll and financial returns services.
How does the Direct Payment Scheme work?
Your needs will be discussed with you and agreed at an assessment meeting with your social worker or care manager.
To help you decide whether Direct Payments are what you want, a support worker from PRO Disability will meet with you. They can help you set up your scheme in the way that you would like.
If you have not had a financial assessment within the last year a new one will be carried out and you may be required to make a contribution towards your care, as you would if you were receiving arranged services.
Once set up, the money for purchasing your care services will then be paid each month into a bank or building society account used specifically for your scheme. You will have control of that account and will need to keep financial records of all transactions. Your scheme may include funding to enable you to purchase assistance with this. The money must only be spent on meeting the agreed needs in your care plan.
You may not use the money to
- Employ a relative or someone who normally lives in the same house as yourself.
- Purchase services that do not meet the needs ageed in your Care Plan.
What are the advantages?
- You will have more choice and control over the way you receive care.
- People who use the scheme have found more creative ways of meeting their needs, thus improving their opportunity for independence.
- Direct Payments can offer you flexibility, so your care fits in around your lifestyle.
- Direct Payments enables you to change the way you organise your care arrangements as much as your budget allows.
- With an emphasis on promoting independence and aiding social inclusion there may be more opportunities for rehabilitation, education, leisure and employment.
How can I use the money?
The money can only be spent on meeting the needs which are agreed in your care plan. You choose how you arrange to meet them
You may not use the money to:
- employ a relative or someone who normally lives in the same house as yourself
- purchase services that do not meet the needs agreed in your care plan
What happens if I don't get on with the scheme?
If you run into difficulties or find that Direct Payments is not really suited to you, speak to your care manager who will arrange for you to receive the community care services you need.
What do people think of Direct Payments?
People have found the scheme has given them much more freedom to get on with their lives.
Janet, of Oakdale, says
"Its so flexible, it's the best thing since sliced bread. It's given me my life back".
How do I find out more?
If you are interested in Direct Payments and over 18 years old, contact your Care Manager or Social Worker, or:
- Social Services Help Desk
- PRO Disability
Tel: 01202 723301 Fax: 01202 738630 e-mail: info@prodisability.org.uk
If you are 16-17 years old or a parent of a disabled child contact:
- Children and Young People's Social Care Tel: 01202 735046 Minicom: 01202 714783
Directgov