Direct Payment Support

Direct payments are payments made for people who have been assessed as needing social services help. They also include people who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services. This means that the local trust will not provide them with the services directly.

How do I get a Personal Budget?

With direct payments, if you or someone you take care of gets help from social services, you can apply for them. This eases the process of you choosing the services you need and you do not need to get them from your council.

However, it is important to request a discussion about your needs if you are above 18 and have care and support needs because of a long-term health condition, frailty or disability.

Uses of direct payments

  • To buy services from a social care provider.

  • Helps you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

  • Maintaining your social life and activities.

  • You can use them to run things at home and employ staff to help with your personal care needs.

  • Enable you to live independently by buying equipment for your home

Direct payments and personal budgets

Personal budgets are provided to users who, after an assessment of their needs, funding is provided to them in order to meet those needs. This can be a great option for people who do not want to take on the responsibilities of a direct payment. A local authority, third party or trust can be used to manage your personal budget if you prefer.

In the process, you will be involved in writing your own support plan which then provides a detailed layout of your goals and the personal budget helps to meet the outcomes of these goals. This is known as self-directed support.

In Wales and England, most authorities are directing efforts towards providing self-directed support as what to use for people who need social care support.

Benefits of a personal budget

  • Help you know how much is available for you to meet your social care needs.

  • See a clear outline of your goals from having a support plan.

  • Able to control how and when to spend.

The role of a social care professional

  • They can help in deciding whether either a personal budget that is council managed or a direct payment is right for you.

  • Help a user assess their own needs or assess them on their behalf, thereafter allocate a suitable budget.

  • When a personal budget feels insufficient, social workers can take the case to a council funding panel for revision.

  • Help a user manage risks in their lives. This can be risks found regarding their care and support, afterwards help them in taking risks.

  • Reviewing a user’s needs and ensuring that they are meeting people’s needs