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WCC - A Guide to Direct Payments

Overview

This booklet provides a brief overview of Direct Payments; what they are, who is eligible to receive them, how the application process works, and how to use them.

For more information, visit the People First website www.peoplefirstinfo.org.uk (search for ‘direct payments’), or speak with a member of Adult Social Care staff.

What is a Direct Payment?

A Direct Payment is money paid directly to you by the Council for you to arrange and purchase your own care, based on your assessed care and support needs, rather than the Council buy it for you. This allows you to have more choice and control over how your care needs are met, so that services you receive are those you have chosen yourself to help you achieve the things that are important to you.

You have full control and choice over who provides your care. You take full responsibility for finding, organising and managing the care that you want, and paying for that care using your Direct Payment.

Direct Payments can only be used on what has been agreed in your Care and Support Plan following an assessment of your needs. This might include support from a care agency of your choice, or employing a personal assistant directly to help you, or to buy other support services and equipment.

Once set up, the Direct Payment will be paid to you once every 4 weeks.

Direct Payments can be managed by you, or by a third party such as a family member or friend.

Benefits of a Direct Payment

Benefits of a Direct Payment include being able to:

  • choose a care provider who is right for you
  • employ someone you know and trust
  • choose to receive support at a time you want
  • help you learn new skills
  • build new relationships
  • feel part of the community
  • increase your independence
  • enable you to stay in your own home
  • have greater flexibility

Some examples of services a Direct Payment can be used towards:

  • Personal Care
  • Domestic Support
  • Social Support
  • Sitting Service
  • Leisure
  • Activities
  • Equipment
  • Respite care

Responsibilities of a Direct Payment

Direct Payments allow flexibility and choice, but they do entail responsibilities too. These are described later in this booklet.

Who is eligible for a Direct Payment?

Anyone who has been assessed by the Council as having eligible care and support needs may request a Direct Payment. The Council uses the criteria set out in the Care Act 2014 to undertake the assessment and to determine eligibility. Assessments for care and support may be requested for older people, people with a learning disability, people with physical disabilities and health conditions, and people with mental health needs. Carers are also eligible for support, as well as families with a disabled young person (as part of the young person’s transition to adulthood).

If you like to know more about how to ask for an assessment and what is involved, see www.peoplefirstinfo.org.uk/at-home/staying-in-your-own-home/requesting-an-assessment

How do I apply for a Direct Payment?

If you are already receiving care arranged by the Council but would like to consider the greater choice and control a Direct Payment may give, please speak with your allocated social care worker, or call Adult Social Care Team on 020 7641 2500

If you are not currently receiving care organised by the Council, but feel you require some assistance coping with living at home and day-to-day tasks, please contact the Council’s Adult Social Care Team on 020 7641 2500 and ask for an assessment from Adult Social Care. Alternatively, you may ask your GP to refer you on your behalf.

Arranging care and support

If you are eligible for support as a result of the assessment, the member of staff will discuss your care and support needs and the level of care required to meet these needs. This information will then be clearly set out and agreed with you in your personal Care and Support Plan.

Paying for care

Your Care and Support Plan will also contain a calculation of how much the care costs to provide. Social Care is not free, and as part of the support planning process, a financial assessment of your ability to contribute towards the costs of providing your care will be undertaken. Please see the leaflet ‘Adult Social Care Non-Residential Contributions Policy’ for full details: https://www.peoplefirstinfo.org.uk/media/10502/wcc-client-guide-paying-for-non-residential-care-mar2021.pdf

Requesting a Direct Payment

You will be offered the option of letting the Council arrange the care for you, in which case the Council will choose care provider(s) for you, or to have a Direct Payment so that you can choose and make arrangements to receive care from provider(s) you prefer. Because the Direct Payment is usually paid to you on a regular, ongoing basis, you have a responsibility to manage the scheme. You can choose either to manage it yourself or ask someone else to do so on your behalf, such as a relative or friend. You can also ask a third-party organisation to manage it for you, but they will charge a fee to do so however this will be factored into your Direct Payment budget. If you do ask someone else to manage your Direct Payment, that person or organisation will take full responsibility for doing so and for care arrangements and employment responsibilities as appropriate. In either case, if you choose to receive a Direct Payment, you will be required to sign a Direct Payment Agreement (which sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme).

What can the Direct Payment be spent on?

You can only purchase types of care and support that have been agreed and set out in your Care and Support plan. For example, you may want to:

  • employ your own personal assistant
  • pay a care agency to support you with daily tasks
  • buy small pieces of equipment that will support your independence
  • pay for a short break away from home to give your carer a break
  • book an activity or class you enjoy, instead of going to a day centre

The services you buy need to be legal, affordable, and safe.

 

Independent Information and Advice

 

Contact Us

To find out more about direct payments contact: WCC Adult Social Care Team
T: 020 7641 2500
Email: adultsocialcare@westminster.gov.uk
More information? View: www.peoplefirstinfo.org.uk for a wide range of information about what is available locally to help you stay independent.

Feedback Form and Correspondence contact details

We welcome feedback on how we might improve our services. If you would like to make a comment, compliment or complaint, please contact:
Customer Engagement Team, Adult Social Care, 12th Floor, 64 Victoria Street,London, SW1E 6QP
Telephone: 0800 587 0072
Email: ASCCustomerFeedback@westminster.gov.uk

 

May 2021

Last updated: 31/05/2021
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