What are direct payments?
Direct payments are monetary payments made by local authorities to anyone who has parental responsibility for a child or a young person with disabilities. Direct payments must be offered as an alternative to receiving services from the local authority. The payments can then be used in a number of ways to provide care and support services for the disabled child or young person. Direct payments can be useful in allowing parents to shape their own childcare package, including support and services that are not routinely provided by community care services.
Who can receive direct payments?
A person with parental responsibility can receive direct payments for a disabled child or young person if they have been assessed by the local authority as eligible for a service. An assessment of their needs will have been carried out by the local authority prior to the parent or carer’s application for direct payments. The assessment must take into account the needs of the family as a whole unit, rather than just the needs of the child or young person. If a disabled child or young person is not receiving the appropriate services from the local authority or their needs have changed, a reassessment should be requested.
A disabled young person aged 16 or 17 can receive direct payments if they are assessed by the local authority as being eligible. Direct payments are given to 16- and 17-year-old disabled young people directly rather than to their parents or carers.
How can persons apply for direct payments?
Anyone who is currently in receipt of services from the local authority may be able to request direct payments as an alternative. The local authority can supply more information on how to do this, and also how to apply for an assessment of the child or young person’s needs.
What can direct payments be used for?
Direct payments may be used for various services that provide additional support. For parents or carers of a disabled chil
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