Direct Payments Factsheet
Direct payments and personal budgets play a central part in making care and support more
personalised. They are designed to give people more control over the care they receive.
Personal budgets
A personal budget is a pot of funding which is allocated to you after an assessment if you are
eligible for help. This can be used:
• As direct payments
• To allow the council to buy services for you
• Or a combination of direct payments and council services
What if I don’t want a personal budget?
We will ensure that the services you receive are right for you and delivered in a way that
suits you. It’s about giving you more choice rather than imposing any services or support on
you. You can still choose the same services that you have received in the past.
What is a direct payment?
A direct payment is money we contribute towards meeting your care and support needs.
It's a regular payment made directly to you or someone else you choose, so that you can
arrange and pay for the care and support you need instead of receiving services straight
from us.
The payments can give you the responsibility to employ people to help, such as a personal
assistant, or to buy direct from established care agencies. It must only be spent on services
identified in your support plan.
Direct payments are available across the UK and to all client groups, but they cannot be
used to buy long term residential care or services provided by the council.
Who can have a direct payment?
Payments can be made to:
• adults over 16
• carers
• parents of disabled children
• disabled parents
You'll be responsible for the money received. If you aren’t able to, or don’t want to manage
your own finances, another person can manage the direct payments on your behalf.
Is it suitable for you?
Most people find direct payments are a good choice.
Carers: If you're a carer you can use direct payments to buy the services you're assessed as
needing to support you in your caring role. This includes support that may help maintain
your health and wellbeing.
Older people: Direct payments can offer older people much more flexible ways of getting
care. For example:
• allowing you to arrange home care for a time that suits you
• employing a carer who you know and trust
• short term help, for example, after a hospital stay.
You can also have a mixture of direct payments and services from us.
People with learning difficulties: If you have a learning difficulty then direct payments
could work well for you. Direct payments would give you more choice about services. For
example you could use your money to pay for a daily activity that you enjoy.
If you would find it hard to manage direct payments yourself, someone you know well could
manage them for you
What happens next?
Social workers and other care staff will help you reach a decision as to whether a direct
payment or council managed personal budget is right for you. We have a Resource
Allocation System which helps us to work out how much money is allocated to you. If social
workers feel this is not enough it will be discussed by a funding panel.
We'll let you know how much money is available and create a support plan with you and your
family. The support plan will document the outcomes required to meet your needs and how
we can achieve them.
You'll need to record the money you spend, so we know how you're using direct payments to
meet your assessed needs. We'll tell you what information you need to provide.
We'll arrange for the Direct Payments Support Services to contact you. They can help you
manage your budget, for example:
• advice on budgeting the money and keeping records
• using an agency or other services
• employing a personal assistant - recruiting, managing and paying them.
How you'll get the money?
You'll need to set up a separate bank account specifically for your direct payments. We are
required to complete a financial audit at least once a year. It is our responsibility to ensure
that public money is spent responsibly, so a consistent approach to record keeping is
needed. You will be asked to keep the bank statements for your direct payment account so
that we can monitor it.
Direct Payments, updated 08/07/2015
Becoming an employer
You may decide to use your direct payment to employ a Personal Assistant. There are a
range of responsibilities that come with this and it is important that you are aware of them.
This includes legal responsibilities around recruiting, managing your Personal Assistant and
if necessary terminating a contract.
A toolkit covering all aspects of employing a Personal Assistant has been produced by Skills
for Care: www.employingpersonalassistants.co.uk. It also includes templates for job
descriptions, contracts, letters and checklists.
Employing relatives
You can employ a family member - as long as they do not live in your home.
What if it doesn’t work out or my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change and you no longer need to employ a Personal Assistant you
will need to go through a redundancy process to end the contract of employment. This
follows a legal process and advice should be sought.
If you are concerned about the obligations relating to a potential redundancy or dismissal of
one of your employees, you should contact the City Council’s Direct Payment Finance Team
before such an outcome takes place. This service can be contacted on 0117 90 37066 or
[email protected]
Further advice on employing a Personal Assistant
The following organisations can advise on setting up direct payments, employing Personal
Assistants and going through the redundancy process:
PeoplePlus (formerly Action for Employment) provides a range of independent living advisory
services.
WECIL – West of England Centre for Independent Living has a direct payment support
service
PA Net - this website includes lots of useful information on legal responsibilities
Buying services from an agency
If you choose to use an agency for your care services, they will take on many of the
employment responsibilities. When choosing services from an agency, it’s a good idea to
have a list of the tasks you need help with and the service you require.
Ask us about local home care agencies or contact the Care Quality Commission which
regulates all care providers.
Direct Payments, updated 08/07/2015
I’m worried about safety and quality if I employ my own services?
Safeguarding is our priority and it is important that you are kept safe, whatever your
circumstances. If abuse or neglect does occur, a social care professional will intervene to
reduce and manage the identified risks. We will review your support plan to ensure it
continues to meet your needs.
Paying for residential care
You can't use direct payments to pay for residential care
Benefits and income tax
Direct payments aren't liable for income tax and won't affect your benefits.
What about my carer?
Your carer may have needs of their own and they have a right to a carer’s assessment. This
can help highlight the ways that caring affects their life. It also looks at anything they would
like to change to be able to continue to do things that are important to them and their family.
What if I want to change the support I have chosen?
You can contact us at any time to discuss your support plan. We can then agree together on
how your personal budget is spent. If your circumstances change we may need to reassess
you.
How to get a Direct Payment?
If you receive social care support you can choose direct payments. The direct payment will
be created following your assessment.
If you're not receiving social care support, contact Care Direct on:
Email:
Tel:
[email protected]
0117 922 2700
Direct Payments, updated 08/07/2015
Useful websites:
wecil.co.uk – Bristol-based organisation supporting people to live as independently as
possible. They have a specialist Direct Payment information and advice service.
peopleplus.co.uk – provides a range of advisory services for independent living
(previously known as A4e)
employingpersonalassistants.co.uk. – Skills for Care employer toolkit
panet.org.uk – useful information on employing personal assistants
carerssupportcentre.org.uk – local information and support for carers
cqc.org.uk – information on using an agency from the Care Quality Commission
GOV.UK – government information about employing people
ACAS.org.uk – information about employment relations
We can provide this information in another format like large
print, audio or Braille. Or in a language other than English.
Telephone 0117 922 2700.
Direct Payments, updated 08/07/2015