4.8 Direct Payments |
RELATED CHAPTERS
Click here to view the Direct Payment Flow Chart (updated January 2010) and the Direct Payment Chart of Roles and Responsibilities (updated January 2010).
AMENDMENTS
This Chapter was amended January 2010, a new Section 6, Direct Payments can also be Spent On was included and Section 9, Contact Names and Numbers, was updated.
Also, the Direct Payments Flowchart and Direct Payments Chart of Roles and Responsibilities (see above) were updated.
Contents
- What are Direct Payments?
- Who can Get Direct Payments?
- How Often are Direct Payments Made?
- What is the Process?
- Direct Payments can be Spent on Employing a Personal Assistant (PA)
- Direct Payments can also be Spent On
- Direct Payments can Not be Spent On
- What are the Benefits of Direct Payments
- Contact Names and Numbers
1. What are Direct Payments?
A Direct Payment is money given to parents/carers or young people, by Brighton & Hove City Council, to enable them to buy in support that is assessed as being needed, instead of Brighton & Hove City Council providing that support through their own services i.e. residential care or outreach services. Direct Payments do not effect benefits.
2. Who can get Direct Payments?
Those who have been assessed as meeting the criteria for disabled children's services and are:-
- Parents of a disabled child under 18
- Disabled young people (16-18)
3. How Often are Direct Payments Made?
Direct Payments are paid in advance into a bank or building society account specifically set up for this purpose, as a one off payment or on a weekly basis. If the direct payment is assessed as being needed at key times e.g. school holidays, then payment will be made accordingly.
4. What is the Process?
- The child and/or family's needs are first assessed by a Social Worker from the Disabled Children's social work team.
- As well as completing an Initial Assessment of Need, they will also make an assessment as to whether the parent/carer or young person is willing and able to administer direct payments, with appropriate support being provided.
- The Social Worker will then present a request to a Resource Panel of Managers and service providers who will decide whether Direct Payments are the most appropriate option to meet the need and how the funds should be allocated.
- Once agreed, the Direct Payment service manager will contact you to explain how the scheme works and draw up a 'Letter of Agreement' with you, discuss any PA recruitment needs and initiate your direct payments with the finance team.
- A Direct Payments Advisor will then visit to explain in detail your responsibilities as an employer and will continue to give on-going support and advice as required.
5. Direct Payments can be Spent on Employing a Personal Assistant (PA)
- To take the young person/child into the community to access an activity, support inclusion, going to a club etc.
- To work with the child directly within the home, to give parents and siblings a break.
- To stay overnight to give respite to parents.
- Or a registered childminder or child home carer (for children aged under 8)
6. Direct Payments can also be Spent On
- Using an approved agency to provide direct care to meet your child/family's needs
- After school clubs and holiday play schemes for your disabled child
- Residential overnight breaks for your disabled child
- By agreement with the Practice Manager for direct payments, any service which meets your assessed need for a short break.
7. Direct Payments can Not be Spent On
- Employing someone without CRB and CPR checks or references
- Any services already provided by the council e.g. Residential or Outreach support services
8. What are the Benefits of Direct Payments?
Direct Payments allow parents and young people greater choice flexibility and control, to employ their own workers at times convenient to them and in the way they wish, to provide an individual service to meet their needs.
9. Contact Names and Numbers
| Integrated Child Development and Disability Social Work Team |
Seaside View Child Development Centre T: (01273) 265825 |
| Abby Maitland |
Practice Manager for Direct Payments T: (01273) 295171 |
| Henry Rawlings |
Direct Payments Support & Advice Service |
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