Direct Payments Service

In 1996 the government passed the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act. This act allows the Social Services Department to make a cash payment directly to adults (aged 18 to 65) who have been assessed as being eligible to receive care services. The Act was implemented in April 1997 and since that date it has enabled local authorities to offer this alternative to the community care services it provides. Further Regulations subsequently implemented enabled people over the age of 65 to be considered for Direct Payments and in 2001, the Carers and Disabled Childrens Act 2000 was implemented and extended the scheme to include young adults, parents of disabled children and carers. From 8th April 2003, new Regulations have made it mandatory for all local authorities to offer this scheme. Wales and Scotland are supported through similar legislation.

Direct payments enable people to take control over the service they receive, when and by whom they choose, giving greater control and self-determination to users.

The Rowan Organisation is currently under contract to provide support and assistance to users of Direct Payments in the following areas:

The range of support the local Independent Living Advisors of the Rowan Organisation can provide includes:

• Full explanation of Direct Payments, options and the process of getting set up
• Safeguarding advice
• Person specifications / Job descriptions
• Wording and placing job adverts
• Interviewing techniques
• Drawing up employment contracts
• Employment legislation guidance
• Assistance with accounts, monitoring forms, returns (although in some areas, we have local Account Support Workers who would undertake this role)

The Rowan Organisation provides a managed 'recruitment service' for service users who choose to employ their own Personal Assistants to help with the process of sending out and receiving/collating completed job application forms.

We also provide a Payroll Service to calculate wages payable to personal assistants and the relevant deductions (please see Factsheets 14 for further information).

In addition, the Information Service can provide telephone and email support to members of the public, existing Direct Payments users, local authorities, as well as to Rowan's own Independent Living Advisers.

Further information on Direct Payments can be found in the Factsheets section on this web site.

If you live in any of the afore-mentioned areas or would like more information on Direct Payments, please contact the Rowan Organisation Contact Us.