You may be eligible for the Direct Payments Scheme if you:-

• are a person of any age assessed as needing or are receiving a community care service
• would prefer to take more control of your life and live with greater independence and have :-
  • a physical disability or sensory impairment
  • a learning difficulty or
  • a mental health condition or
  • HIV/Related Illness
• have parental responsibility for a disabled child or you are a young adult aged 16 or 17
• provide substantial and regular care to a disabled person and are over 16 years of age

You can now have more choice about your own care arrangements. Your Local Authority can provide the money to pay for your care support in your preferred form, rather than having to rely on local authority ‘home help' or on an agency sent in by Social Services. Your needs will be assessed by your Local Authority, who will decide how much money you need.

You can choose to recruit your own personal assistants (PAs), use the services of a care agency or a combination of the two. By receiving regular direct payments from your Local Authority and, if you decide to recruit your own PAs, you will become an employer, and will be expected to manage payments and comply with employment legislation.

Version 4.0

Version Date: November 2009

The Rowan Organisation - Supporting Independence Through Choice