Direct Payments
What is it?
Direct Payments is a way of providing you with personal help but rather than Social Services putting this help for you, you are in charge. Social Services give you money so that you can be the employer of your own helpers. This means that you can choose who helps you, when they help you and how they help you. This system gives you a lot more flexibility but does mean that you have to be able to manage the scheme yourself although you do get help. Insurance, keeping financial records, recruiting and budget keeping are all involved. Payment is made every month into an account specifically set up for the purpose.To receive Direct Payments you have to be over 16 or a parent of a child with special needs and also entitled to Community Care services. You can employ more than one person, but that person may not be a relative and the tasks that you ask them to do must be agreed by an assessment procedure. Examples of help include helping your child get dressed, getting them up, putting them to bed and taking them out on social activities.