DIRECT PAYMENTS SUPPORT SERVICE

Where : The Middlesbrough Area

Why : Government legislation allows the option for people who currently receive community care package/services to have these converted into a direct payment (cash payment) to purchase services for their assessed/identified needs themselves.

Who For : This is a full time scheme offering direct payments to adults 18 plus and disabled young people aged 16 and 17, carers and people with parental responsibility for a child with a disability.

When: Once you have a community care assessment.

Size of Care Package:Care Assessment

Assessment : Your Social Worker/Care Manager will continue to be responsible for assessing/reviewing your community care assessment. If you have not already had a community care assessment(CCA)then you should contact the First Access Team within your local Social Services Department and request a Social Work referral.

Hourly Rate : This is the rate at which Middlesbrough Social Services calculate the cost of providing services to meet your care needs. This is generally set below the hourly rate charged by care agencies but above the National Minimum Wage if you were to employ staff yourself. Currently set at £7.50 for the financial year 2001/2.

Who Not For:This scheme covers all those people eligible under current Direct Payments Legislation.

What Not For:You cannot use your Direct Payment to buy :-

Services that don’t meet your assessed needs
Services currently provided by your Health Authority
Therapies for example physiotherapy
Long term residential care other than periods of respite
Support provided by your partner married or unmarried, a close relative living in the same household or elsewhere. A close relative means a parent,parent in law,stepson or daughter,brother, sister or spouse or the partner of any of the preceding.
Clothes,food
To purchase services direct from your local authority.

Delivery of Support : This is a full-time scheme with two development workers from the Independent Living Project who provide training, development and ongoing support to equip clients with the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage a Direct Payment.
The framework that has been developed by the staff includes the delivery of a structured training programme, specific to the individuals agreed training needs. This can be delivered on a one to one basis or in a group session.

The programme also offers a monthly peer support group for clients and their personal assistants/carers.