Direct Payments Support Service

Peer Support Group

Direct payments users are now able to support each other via a peer support group. This gives people who use direct payments the opportunity to share ideas and experience and learn from each other. The group sometimes invites speakers to give members the opportunity to learn new information about their direct payments.

For further information please contact the support service.

Personal Assistants/Support Workers Needed

There are many posts available to work in Darlington as a Personal Assistant or Support Worker employed by a disabled person or carer using a Direct Payment. A new, separate page giving details of all the current posts is now on-line.

A version of this information in Word format is available by clicking this link: Direct Payments Vacancies(Word). For a PDF version please click this link: Direct Payment Vacancies(PDF).

This Vacancies page was updated on 7th May 2008.

Direct Payments Support Service Newsletter

Our latest newsletter Issue 15 can now be viewed on-line.

What are Direct Payments?

From April 2003 every local authority offer those who are eligible money, instead of arranging services for them. When local authorities gives someone money in this way, it is known as Direct Payments.

People get this money to arrange services for themselves to meet their social care needs.

Who can receive Direct Payments?

The vast majority of people getting social services from the authority have a right to direct payments.

• Older people who have been assessed as needing community care services
• Disabled people aged 16 and over, including those with short as well as long term needs
• Carers, in place of receiving carers' services
• Families with disabled children for children's services
• Disabled parents for children's services

Why would I want Direct Payments?

Direct Payments allow people to make more decisions affecting their lives. However you choose to use it, Direct Payments can give you the flexibility to shape your services, that meet your individual needs. With Direct Payments you can still purchase care from the same agency you have always used.

The difference is that Direct Payment puts you in control, you deal with the agency directly so that they provide you with a service that best suits you and your assessed needs.

How do Direct Payments work?

The vast majority of people who are assessed as needing services have a right to direct payments. Equally, you should not be pressured to have direct payments if you prefer for services to be arranged by the authority.

Darlington Association on Disability have an established Support Service for people wishing to use Direct Payments. The Support Services role is to provide:-

• Information and support
• Support to people who wish to employ their own personal assistant
• A payroll service
• Help with completing monitoring forms
• Regular newsletter
• Training and peer support for service users
• Information on training opportunities for personal assistants
• Training to care managers and other agencies to increase awareness of direct payments
• Facilitation of Direct Payments Peer Support Group
• Support of Direct Payments Users in Involvement Forum
• Recruitment support, assisting you to consider your options

The most important point is that we provide a flexible service and can provide you with as much, or as little help as you require.

Getting Direct Payments

"What do I have to do to get Direct Payments?"

Your social worker/care manager should discuss this option with you when they assess your care needs. If they do not, or if you already get services, ask your local social services department about direct payments, or alternatively contact the Support Service.

"If I am entitled to Community Care Services, am I automatically entitled to Direct Payments?"

Help is available from D.A.D Direct Payments Support Services, to discuss the different options you may have.

"If my local authority offers me Direct Payments, can I refuse?"

Yes. Everyone should have the opportunity to refuse Direct Payments if they prefer to receive services arranged by the authority. If you accept Direct Payments, you can change your mind at any time. You will need to contact your local authority to ask them to stop making Direct Payments and arrange services instead.

"What can I spend my Direct Payments on?"

The money is for you to use to arrange the services (including equipment) that the local authority has assessed you as needing. If you prefer to receive local authority services to meet some of the needs, the authority may agree to offer you a combination of direct payments and services - employing personal assistants to: assist you with personal care, shopping, cooking, housework, reading bills/letters, dealing with money, receiving day service support and short-break respite.

"What can't I use my Direct Payments for?"

Direct Payments are intended for use to purchase services or equipment. They cannot be used for:-

• Clothes, food and savings
• Permanent residential accommodation
• To purchase support from a spouse, partner or close relative, unless there are exceptional reasons for doing so

"Can I purchase services from my local authority?"

Currently you cannot buy services from your local authority as it is not allowed to sell its services in this way.

"Can I purchase residential care with my Direct Payments?"

You may be able to use direct payments to secure occasional short periods in residential accommodation, if your local authority agrees that is what is needed.

"Can I use Direct Payments to employ my relatives?"

Yes, but not a partner or spouse, or a close relative in the same household.

"Will the local authority give me enough money to meet my needs?"

The local authority have to give enough money to make adequate arrangements to meet your assessed needs, including any legal responsibilities you may have as an employer. You should not find yourself having to do without services that the local authority has assessed you as needing.

"Will I have to make a financial contribution if I receive Direct Payments?"

Adults will undergo a financial assessment to determine what level of contribution is to be made.

"How will I get the money?"

It is up to your local authority to decide how it makes direct payments and in Darlington it is every four weeks. When you have recruited staff and a starting date has been agreed, an agreed amount will be placed into your Direct Payments Bank/Building Society Account. Payments are made four weeks in advance, plus you need to pay your weekly assessed financial contribution, if required.

"If I decide to accept the Direct Payments, where can I get help?"

Direct Payments offer great flexibility, but by accepting them you take on the responsibility for managing the money and arranging services that meet your needs. You can ask for help from your local authority or from the DAD Support Service.

If you use mental health services, you may wish to set up a support structure to help you manage at times when you are not feeling well. Your local direct payments support scheme or local branch of the mental health charity MIND should be able to assist in setting up the support you need.

"How will I manage my Direct Payments?"

In managing a Direct Payment you will have some paperwork, and some responsibility. You will be "accountable" for the money, but will be able to have assistance if you need it. You will need to:

• Open a separate bank account specifically for your direct payments and payments for the services you have been assessed as needing
• Pay for those services with the money you receive every month in advance
• Keep simple records on how you spend the money, and who you pay, which must be made available to Social Services when requested, to enable them to check how you are spending your money
• The Direct Payments Support Service understands that the support required will vary according to your skills and needs, and although some people will only need assistance in the initial stages, others may require longer term support
• In order to make informed choices it is important that you are aware of all the services that are available to you, and that you fully understand the implications of receiving a direct payment, so please ask your social worker or care manager

(The Direct Payments Support Service is a project operated by Darlington Association on Disability and exists to support people who receive a Direct Payment in Darlington, Charity No 518265)

If you would like any further information on Direct Payments, or clarification on any of the information listed above, please contact us and we will be pleased to help. Tracy Roberts (Direct Payments Co-ordinator) tracy@darlingtondisability.org.

Direct Payments Support Service, Enterprise House, South Entrance, Valley Street North, Darlington DL1 1GY

Tel: 01325 360524