Direct Payments explained
You have a variety of funding options for your care. State provision is mainly means tested and there are a number of benefits available depending on your exact situation. The first port of call should be your Social Services department, and they may offer you the option of Direct payment which is always a popular choice.
What are Direct Payments?
Direct payments are local council payments given to you to buy services that your social worker has assessed that you need. They allow independence and freedom of choice to pick your own carer or choose your preferred agency rather than the council allocating a service to you. A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do this on a day-to-day basis.
Who can have Direct Payment?
Almost anyone who is eligible for services from Adult Social Care or children’s services can get a direct payment this includes:
- Older Adults
- Parents/guardians of disabled children
- Carers aged 16 and over
- Adults with physical/mental/learning disabilities, sensory impairment, long-term illness or who are frail.
Who can I employ?
www.findsafecare.com is easy to use and can assist you in your search to find experienced, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) cleared carers/assistants in your area, saving you time and money in searching for the right person. The site also provides assistance and online support in helping with the essential book-keeping with paying wages, tax and national insurance.
If you do not want to use Direct Payments to employ your own carer/personal assistant, let Safehands Care Ltd assist you. They are a government approved agency, regulated by C.Q.C.(Care Quality Commission) and employ fully vetted, experienced, CRB cleared carers. Safehands Care also works in partnership with leading local authorities and is able to accept Direct Payments.
What can I use direct payments for?
As a general principle, councils should let you choose how best to meet your assessed needs as long as they are satisfied that agreed support arrangements are being met. They can be used to:
- Pay for help with carrying out daily living tasks, personal and domestic tasks. i.e. by paying for a personal assistant
- Help someone have a break from caring
- Support someone to get out and about within their community
- Help someone stay independent
Example - Debbie Elliott is a 22 year old who needs help to live on her own and to stay independent. Her mother helps with some daily tasks and with the financial aspects of Direct Payments. Debbie uses her Direct Payments to pay for a personal assistant to organise regular social outings, help her to do voluntary work and to provide extra support when her mother takes a holiday.
Record Keeping
If you receive direct payments, you will need to account for the money you spend. www.findsafecare.com will tell you what records you will need to keep and what information you will be expected to provide for your council. Examples include timesheets signed by personal assistants, or receipts for services from agencies.
The council has to be satisfied that the needs for which it is giving you direct payments are being met. They should tell you how they will go about this. This may involve a visit to your home.
