The ABC of Direct Payments
Why do people choose Direct Payments?
The words most often used by Direct Payments service-users in Peterborough to
explain how Direct Payments had improved their quality of life included “choice”,
“independence”, “flexibility” and “freedom”
“ Freedom to arrange care and help the way we want it”
“Able to go out independently, more choice”
“Because I can choose my own carers”
“Freedom to get cover for my mother, so I can go out”
“Flexibility in providing Respite Care”
“Given me more independence from my mum doing everything, as I am an adult”
“I can now have a life outside home and live independently in my own home”
So what are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are payments to people who have been assessed by a social care
worker as having “eligible needs” for social care. They enable people to choose how
to arrange their own care and support.
How can you use your Direct Payments?
You can use your Direct Payments to pay for the support which has been agreed with
the Social Care Department as part of your care plan. This includes support with
personal care and access to the community to prevent social isolation.
Some people choose to:
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Employ their own personal assistants to enable them to live independently in
their own home.
Pay for support workers from agencies
Access social or community activities
Pay for live-in care
Pay for respite care (including short breaks for you or your carers)
One off Direct Payments for equipment
Some people choose a mixture of Direct Payments and use of services commissioned
by Social Care. For example, employing a personal assistant to support mobility and
communication and using a specialist day service paid for by Adult Social Care.
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Who can get Direct Payments?
Anyone assessed by the Council as having “eligible needs” for support, who is also
able and willing to manage the Direct Payment, either alone or with support.
This includes:
Older or disabled people aged 16 or over
People with long term illness, sensory impairment, mental health problems
A carer assessed as needing support in their own right
A person with parental responsibility for a disabled child
Why would I want Direct Payments?
Direct payments give you choice and control over your own care and support
Direct Payments are flexible and adaptable
You can meet your needs in new, imaginative and effective ways
The purpose of Direct Payments is “to give people choice and control over their social
care and support services to enable them to lead more independent and fulfilling
lives.”
Direct Payments have been available since 1997. There is no minimum or maximum
for a Direct Payment. But it must be cost effective and of a quality acceptable to the
Local Authority.
How can I get Direct Payments?
Start by contacting your Local Authority, in Peterborough that is Peterborough City
Council.
Ask for Adult Social Care or Childrens Services. They will arrange to have your
needs assessed and start the process to set up a Direct payments for you, if they agree
that this is the best way to meet your needs for social care.
If you have your own Support Plan, this will help you to explain your needs to the
person who does the assessment. You can get help to draw up your own Support Plan
from PCVS if you have a learning disability.
If you need support or advice about Direct Payments, PCVS Direct Payments Support
Service can help you. The Social Care worker will often arrange a joint visit so that
the Direct Payments Support Worker can explain how Direct Payments work in
practice and answer any questions you have about Direct Payments.
What is a “suitable person” to help manage Direct Payments?
A person who lacks the capacity to manage the Direct Payments or to consent can
still be supported to receive social care through Direct Payments, if that is in their best
interest.
The Direct Payments can be managed by a “suitable person” who will make the
agreed payments and keep financial records on their behalf. Usually the “suitable
person” will be a family member or friend who has volunteered to be involved in the
care of the person eligible for social care.
There is Guidance on how to appoint a “suitable person”, safeguarding, how to
resolve disputes and when advocacy may be needed.
Managed Services
If you find the idea of keeping receipts and paying for your social care too daunting
and you cannot find a “suitable person” to help, you could ask for a managed service.
This means that you can still choose how your care is provided and employ your own
workers if you wish.
PCVS Direct Payments Support Service provide a “managed service” option. The
financial records, payments and banking will be done by PCVS. If you think this is
the way forward for you, you can talk to your Social Care worker who will have to
agree that you need this additional support.
Peterborough City Council will fund this additional support if they agree that you do
not have the ability to manage the Direct Payments fund yourself (or where there is
some conflict of interest about the Direct Payments management)
Setting up your Direct Payments
After funding has been agreed, you will need:
Bank Account – You will need a separate Bank Account. This will be for Direct
Payments only. You will be asked to keep Bank statements.
Financial Assessment – Your finances will be assessed by the Council and you may
be asked to pay a contribution towards the costs of care arranged using your Direct
Payments.
Contract - If the Social Care Department agrees that you need support, you will be
asked to sign a Contract that sets out what you can use your Direct Payments for and
how much you will receive.
Financial Records – You will be asked to send your financial records including
receipts, invoices and Bank statements to the Council to show how you have spent the
money in the account (usually every 3 months). You do not have to do this on your
own as the Direct Payments Support Service can help you to fill in the records and
check that you have sent all the information required.
Some frequently asked Questions with Answers from Peterborough Adult Social
Care
Q. What can the money actually be used for?
A “ Direct Payments can be used for a range of services or to buy equipment that
meet eligible social care needs. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list as
need is different for different people, so what would be agreed for one person might
not be agreed for another.”
Q. Can you use Direct Payments to pay for travel expenses?
A. “If you have considerable extra costs for travel that any DLA does not cover or
you do not receive a DLA mobility payment, we would consider using Direct
Payments to cover travel costs associated with meeting an adult social care need.”
Q. What about using Direct Payments for respite breaks?
A. “Direct Payments can be used for respite, either residential or in the community.
The Council would need to agree on a case by case basis that a respite break met a
social care need and was a reasonable cost.”
Q. Have the rules changed about using a Direct Payment to access the local
community?
A. No, access to day services and day opportunities may be part of a care package and
will continue to be part of the Council’s approach to meeting adult social care need.”
Q. How can you appeal a decision?
A. “If someone does not agree with a decision a social care worker has made, then
they can ask for this to be reviewed by contacting the worker or their line manager. If
you are still not happy with the outcome of the appeal, then you could complain
through the City Council Complaints procedure.”
How to get support to understand and manage Direct Payments
PCVS direct Payments support Service provides free and independent advice and
support with all aspects of Direct Payments.
The Team has a strong understanding of social care in Peterborough, built on years of
experience, working closely with Adult Social Care, Health professionals, Charities,
Voluntary groups and other services.
Help from PCVS Direct Payments Support Service: What we provide:
PCVS Direct Payments Support Service offers:
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Information and advice about Direct Payments
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Help to set up a separate Bank Account
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Employers Liability Insurance and advice on becoming an Employer
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Payroll Service to help with Tax, N.I, Statutory Sick Pay etc.
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Financial Records support
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Problem solving and support
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Training, Information Events, Drop-in service, Guidance on Direct Payments
legislation and good practice for professionals as well as service-users.
You can choose:
Telephone advice
Appointment to meet an adviser in our accessible City Centre office
Drop In Service
Home visits on request if you can't get to the office
Where to find us:
PCVS
3 Lincoln court
Lincoln Road
Peterborough
PE1 2RP
Our City Centre office is easy to access by public transport, just a few minutes away
from Peterborough Bus station, on the corner of Lincoln road and Bright street.
How to contact us:
Telephone 01733 342683
For an appointment, phone between Monday to Friday
Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday
9am to 12.00pm Friday
Email: direct.payments@pcvs.co.uk
Some useful numbers:
Adult Social Care and Children’s Services
Peterborough City Council – 01733 747474
PCVS Direct Payments Support Service – 01733 342683