Care and support

Help with Direct Payments

The charity Scope has produced two guides to help young people and families make the most of the direct payments scheme.

Local authorities must offer direct payments to all disabled people using social care services and young people can use this method to employ personal assistants, who are often young themselves, giving them greater freedom and control over their lives.

The young person’s information pack, My Money, My Way, is intended to raise awareness of the scheme amongst 16 and 17 year olds who can receive direct payments in their own right. It provides guidance on how to get started, how to use the payments, the role of a personal assistant and how to be an employer. There are tips on where to go for advocacy and advice, and a jargon-busting section which gives simple explanations of specific terms.

The second guide intended for parents of disabled children requiring additional support, entitled In The Driving Seat, shows families how to make direct payments work for them. Under the scheme they receive money instead of social care services so they can employ a personal assistant or nanny, use the payments to enjoy a respite holiday or meet their needs in the way that is best for them.

This guide provides advice on getting started, how to employ someone directly, and where to go for help.

Both guides are available from:
Scope, PO Box 833, Milton Keynes MK12 5NY. Tel: 0808 800 3333 (Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm. Weekends 2pm-6pm).
Email: cphelpline@scope.org.uk
Alternatively, download the guides from the Scope website - follow the link on this page and look under www.scope.org.uk/issues/directpayments