DIRECT PAYMENT SUPPORT SERVICE
WHERE: If you live within the borough of Redcar and Cleveland, which includes Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Guisborough and East Cleveland you can access Direct Payments to help you live more independently.
WHY: Individuals who receive services from their local authority to meet their assessed
needs under a community care assessment can choose to have a Direct Payment to
employ staff directly or contract with an agency giving them greater flexibility and
choice. The individual can decide how their needs will be met, by whom and at what
time.
WHO FOR: The scheme is currently available to people who are 18+ and who are receiving services provided for them by the local authority to meet their assessed needs. People who are caring for a person with a disability can also apply for a Direct Payment if they have a community care assessment.
WHEN: You can apply at any time to have your Community Care Assessment converted to a Direct Payment. Ask your social worker for a review of your current package or ask when you have a reassessment or a new assessment.
SIZE OF CARE PACKAGE: In Redcar & Cleveland the authority have decided that a
care package must consist of at least 7 hours care before it can be converted to a Direct
Payments. You can convert all or part of your care package.
ASSESSMENT: Your Social Worker/Care Manager will continue to be responsible for
assessing your care needs. You can ask for a reassessment of your needs at any time.
If you have previously been assessed as not needing a community care package but you think your circumstances have changed you can ask for a new assessment.
HOURLY RATE: Redcar & Cleveland have set their hourly rate for care at 8.00 per
hour. The number of hours you have been assessed as needing will be multiplied by this
amount and this is the amount of money you will receive as a Direct Payment.
WHO NOT FOR: Redcar & Cleveland have not yet extended the Direct Payment service to 16 and 17 years olds. This could come on line in the near future.
WHAT NOT FOR: You cannot use your Direct Payment to buy :
services from your health authority ; permanent residential accommodation
; support from your spouse, close relative or partner unless there are exceptional reasons for doing so ; Clothes, food and equipment ; Support services from your local authority
; services which do not meet your assessed needs.
DELIVERY OF SUPPORT: Independent Living Project has contracted with your local
authority to provide a support service for individuals who have decided to convert to
Direct Payments. It is part of the agreement for converting to Direct Payments that you
use the support service from I.L.P.
In Redcar & Cleveland there is an 18.5 hour scheme with a support worker from.
Independent Living Project who will provide training, development and ongoing support
to equip clients with the knowledge and practical skills to manage their Direct Payment.
Your Support Worker will help you identify and recruit the staff you need, take you
through the legal requirements of being an employer and the financial arrangements you
will need to make. The training can be delivered on a one to one basis or in a group
session.
The programme also offers a peer support group for clients and their carers (Personal
Assistants).
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