Cared-For Direct Payments
Cared-For Direct Payments provide flexible funding to help meet the assessed care and support needs of the person being cared for. Direct Payments can be used to arrange support in a way that promotes independence, choice and wellbeing, for long-term ongoing support.
What is a Direct Payment?
A Direct Payment is funding provided by a local council to help an individual arrange and pay for eligible care and support. Rather than the council arranging the support on their behalf, the individual can use the funding to have greater choice and control over how their support is arranged.
Direct Payments can, for example, be used to employ a Personal Assistant (PA) or purchase other eligible care and support, depending on the individual’s needs and local council processes.
How to access a Direct Payment
A Direct Payment is arranged through the local council’s adult social care or children’s services team. An assessment is usually carried out to understand the individual’s care and support needs and whether they are eligible for a Direct Payment.
If eligible, the council will discuss the level of funding available and how the Direct Payment can be used. The individual can then choose to manage the payment themselves or, where available, have support to manage it on their behalf.
Could you or the person you care for benefit for a Direct Payment?
To get started, please contact your local authority to request a social care assesment.
Direct Payment Support
How The Disability Syndicate Can Help
Blue Sky Carers Support is also a part of The Disability Syndicate. The Disability Syndicate brings together specialist services that can support Direct Payment recipients in Bedford Borough with different aspects of managing their Direct Payment.
Blue Sky Brokers can provide information, advice and practical support around managing a Direct Payment and the responsibilities involved in employing a Personal Assistant. This can include support with recruitment, contracts, DBS checks, references and employment responsibilities.
DD Payroll Services provides specialist payroll support for individuals who employ Personal Assistants, helping with the administration involved in paying employees and meeting payroll responsibilities.
Together, these services provide practical support throughout the Direct Payment journey, helping individuals understand and manage their responsibilities while maintaining choice and control over their care and support. The Disability Syndicate is contracted to deliver this service to Bedford Borough.
How Would Support From The Disability Syndicate Look?
How The Disability Resource Centre Can Help
The Disability Resource Centre provides Direct Payment Support Services for people in Central Bedfordshire who receive a Direct Payment.
Support is available with the practical aspects of managing a Direct Payment, including Personal Assistant recruitment, payroll and managed bank accounts. This can help Direct Payment recipients manage the financial and employment responsibilities involved in arranging their own care and support.
The Disability Resource Centre can provide support throughout the Direct Payment process, helping individuals understand their options, manage their responsibilities and make the most of the flexibility and choice that a Direct Payment provides.
Training & Resources for Employers, Personal Assistants and Unpaid Carers
Unpaid carers supporting someone who receives a Direct Payment may take on different roles, including acting as a nominated person or supporting the recipient as an employer of Personal Assistants.
Blue Sky Brokers offers free training and resources for employers, Personal Assistants and unpaid carers, covering topics such as employment responsibilities, safeguarding, health and safety, person-centred care, mental health and wellbeing.
Training is available online, through webinars and face-to-face sessions, helping individuals build confidence and understanding in their role.
Guide: How To Be A Good Employer
Our fully informative guide on how to be a good Direct Payment Employer. Including information on your Direct Payment, insurance, inductions, training and much more. Available in print, contact us for a copy.
Guide: How To Be A Good Employee
Our fully informative guide on how to be a good Direct Payment Employee. Including information on Self-Employment, insurance, payroll, inductions, training and much more. Available in print, contact us for a copy.
Blue Sky Social Care Card
The Blue Sky Social Care Card provides recognition and support for people involved in care, including Direct Payment employers, employyes and unpaid carers. As well as acting as a verified social care ID card, members can access discounts, perks and wellbeing and peer-support resources through the Blue Sky community.
Direct Payments for Unpaid Carers
Unpaid carers may be eligible for a Carer’s Direct Payment to help meet their own needs and wellbeing alongside their caring role. This can provide flexible support for things such as taking a break, pursuing interests, maintaining social connections or accessing activities that support wellbeing.
