Instead of the Social Services providing or arranging services for disabled people following an assessment, they can make cash payments to the person so they can buy their own care.

The Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 allowed local authorities to make direct payments to disabled people with community care needs. From the 1 April 1997, local authorities could offer some people a direct payment (cash) instead of arranging community care services.

Why would I want a Direct Payment?

Direct Payments give you more choice and flexibility in your care/support arrangements. It means you can employ your own staff or buy care from the provider of your choice.

Who can receive a Direct Payment?

• Disabled adults assessed as requiring community care services, including housing support services.
• Disabled 16 and 17 year olds assessed as requiring community care services, including housing support services.
• Disabled people with parental responsibility to purchase the children's services their children have been assessed as needing.
• Parents and people with parental responsibility for a child in need* (under the age of 16) who has been assessed as requiring children's services.
• Parents and people with parental responsibility for children whose health or development may be impaired or below a reasonable standard without services from the local authority.
• Disabled adults and 16 and 17 year olds to purchase housing support services.
• Older people aged 65 years and over who are assessed as needing community care services due to infirmity or age.
• Attorneys and Guardians, with the relevant powers, can receive self-directed support on behalf of disabled people who are unable to give consent to arranging their own services.
• Those community care service users aged 65 or over who are accessing Free Personal and Nursing Care can arrange for personal care element of the package to be received as self-directed support.

* The definition of a child in need is very broad. It includes children under the age of 16 who have a disability themselves, those who are affected adversely by the disability of any other person in the family, or those children whose health or development may be impaired or below a reasonable standard without services from the local authority. While the focus of service provided under section 22 is to support the child, services may be provided to the wider family if those services help to safeguard or promote the welfare of the child. Families and children are likely to have a wide range of support needs and therefore the services required will need to include flexibility and choice to support each individual case.

These needs can be met by:

• Employing your own personal assistant or support worker (you can get help and advice if you decide to do this).
• Buying support from an agency or service provider.
• Having a mixed package with some services from the local authority.

What can I use my Direct Payment for?

• Practical help, assistance or support in the home, such as cleaning, cooking or personal care.
• Support during the day, for example with shopping or recreational activities.
• Support with respite.
• Support with getting a job.
• Support with educational activities.
• To purchase equipment and adaptations.

How do I get a direct payment?

You or the person you look after must first get an assessment from your local social work department. If you have not seen a social worker you can contact us.

• If you live in Moray
• If you live in Aberdeenshire

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