Direct Payments - Policy and Procedures (July 2000 revised May 2008)

The purpose of the Direct Payments policy is to provide guidance to assist Community & Adult Care staff in the management and administration of setting up direct payment arrangements.

Direct payments offer a person the opportunity to receive money with which to arrange their own domiciliary care or employ their own personal assistant, or to otherwise purchase a service that meets their assessed needs. This means that control of the money and the care package passes to the person, who has the strongest incentive to ensure that it is spent properly on necessary services. The aim of direct payments is to increase opportunities for independence, social inclusion and enhanced self-esteem.

The policy and procedures have been revised and only applies to adult teams at the moment.

The main changes are:

• We now have a duty to offer direct payments to anyone who is assessed as needing a service - (there are some exceptions and you should read the policy for further detail);
• Direct payments can now be offered to older people and carers - (there are local issues still to be resolved before we can offer direct payments to parent carers of children and young people with disabilities and young people aged 16-17);
• Relatives living outside the home can now be employed as personal assistants;
• We have introduced a specialist assessment stage to help find out if the person is willing, able, can give consent and to identify support needs;
• Monitoring has been simplified.

The Direct Payments Agreements can be found further down this page. These Agreements are in a standard format but can be amended to reflect the details of the specific agreement you have made with someone. If you would like someone to check any amendments you have made to an agreement please contact the Policy Team on 01452 427036.

Policies/ procedures are available in word format, to view click on the appropriate heading under the 'Downloads' section of the screen.

If you are unable to access policies/ procedures please contact the Strategic Planning and Policy Group on 01452 427036 or via sspolicy@gloucestershire.gov.uk