Factsheet
1: Introduction
From April 1997, your local authority social services has
been able to make funds available for adult disabled people for their own care
and support needs, instead of relying on the home help service or the use of
day centres. This scheme is called Direct Payments, and the intention is
to give disabled people more independence and choice in their care and support
arrangements. Subsequently, the scheme was extended to include people over 65, people
with parental responsibility for a disabled child, young adults and and carers.
Local authorities must now to offer the option of Direct Payments for eligible
people who are assessed as needing a community care service.
Social
Services will determine how much money
you need for the care package and also whether you could consent to and manage
a direct payment scheme (with assistance if required). Direct Payments can be
used wholly or partially to meet your support needs. Depending on your
financial circumstances, you may be asked to make a contribution towards the
costs and the way this is determined could vary from one local authority area
to another.
The scheme aims to give you greater independence and enable
you to pay for
personal assistants or an Agency of your choice to support your needs in a way that
you choose.
There are some limitations on how direct payments can be used (e.g. paying a partner
or relative who lives in the same household). In these cases, the local
authority has the discretion to waive this restriction in if it is satisfied
that the person’s needs for the relevant
service can be satisfactorily met through a Direct Payment. Where the person is
a child, the same restrictions may be waived in consideration of promoting the
child’s welfare. Direct Payments cannot be used for permanent residential care.
If by receiving direct payments you decide to employ staff,
you will be expected to comply with employment laws. You are accountable for
your scheme, and the local authority will also monitor that the money is being
spent as agreed in your care plan. If the money is not being used properly,
then payments could be withdrawn or require repaying.
Support and advice is available from the Rowan Independent
Living Advisers.