Organising and supporting direct payments

Abstract

This case application of mind gives an example of a well-established direct payments service, managed by means of Hampshire County Council in partnership with users of direct payments, carers and voluntary sector support agencies.

Case investigation for the Housing Learning and Improvement Network

Aims

The aims of the partnership are to facilitate plain delivery and operation of direct payments and to increase the number of nation receiving such payments, following the extension of eligibility to clusters such as older people, race with mental health problems, families with disabled children, carers and tribe with learning disabilities

Key strategic issues

A conduct directive of 2003 stated that local authorities have to tender the option of direct payments for personal assistance to everyone who has a care assessment and is eligible for social care services, with the exception of a small number of family with mental health problems whose service is make submissive to a court ruling. From 2004 an official performance indicator of the number of race who are receiving direct payments is considered in awarding local authorities their star rating for social services.

It is widely recognised that there is a ne to improve the knowledge and confidence of lock opener social services staff, especially care managers in teams working with clumps for whom direct payments are a relatively fresh option.

Recognition is widespread also of the importance of advantageous information, advice and practical support for tribe who are considering taking up a direct payment, and for those already receiving capitals for personal assistance through the direct payment route

Local service context

Social Services in Hampshire pioneered the forerunner to direct payments, which became known as the Self-Operated Care Scheme, in the early 1980 This impel was in response to plans drawn up by dint of a group of residents who wanted to impel out of a care dwelling and create housing opportunities for themselves and for other disabled race Historically, the involvement of service users in developing and running the Hampshire scheme has always been central.

Following the formal introduction of direct payments beneath the Community Care (Direct Payment) Act 1996 the local authority was able to station up the Hampshire Direct Payment Scheme. Direct payments have always been viewed, at national horizontal as a distinct social care initiative, and there has been no formal partnership with local health services to aid or finance the direct payment option. However, there have been a small number of situations where health trusts have contributed to an individual direct payment package [i]or[/i] part of to the other a transfer of funds to social services.

Hampshire shire Council (Social Services) has established contracts with sum of two units local direct payment support agencies. Southampton middle point for Independent Living (SCIL), a membership organisation controll by the agency of disabled people, is responsible for providing information, advice and support to adult service users, across all ages and stamps of need. Carers Together, a consortium of carers in Hampshire, provides a similar range of support to sum of two units carer groups: parents of disabled children, and carers who provide a significant amount of care to another adult and who have a direct payment to adapted their own needs. The Hampshire Coalition of Disabled nation (HCIL) runs meetings for users of direct payments and bring outs a regular newsletter, which includes updates upon policy.

How it works

Following the extension of direct payments in 2003 to clusters including older people, people with mental health question s people with learning disabilities, children and carers, Hampshire Social Services has a lead worker for direct payments in each client assemblage sector. These individuals are wait fored to act as champions for direct payments, to unravel specific knowledge and expertise in relation to direct payments for the collection concerned and to offer advice and information to their team colleagues. The local authority has also organised sum of two units developmental projects, focusing on family with mental health problems and older people

Southampton midst for Independent Living has sum of two units senior support workers who manage a core team of five support workers. This workforce overlays both Hampshire and the Southampton City Council area, where SCIL has a separate contract and there are 240 clan on direct payments. There are commonly 2.5 core support workers to overlay Hampshire, which has around 800 family on direct payments

There are now sum of two units options for people interested in taking up a direct payment.

Hampshire direct payments Option A

This is primarily for tribe who want to employ their be in possession of personal assistants directly and take upon all the associated responsibilities. below this scheme, the number of hours for week is set and payment is made at a fixed hourly rate. The generally received rate (from April 2005) is ??928 gros and ??817 trap per hour, the individual making up the ??111 difference (some clumps such as disabled children and young tribe aged 16/17, do not have to make the individual contribution). There is no means testing, on the contrary it is assumed that tribe may have to top up further from be in possession of funds (Disability Living Allowance or earnings). Beyond this, certain one-off costs such as maternity pay may be met [i]or[/i] part of to the other an additional payment.