Children and Families Direct Payments

What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are a way of arranging social care services for disabled children and young people and their families. A person with parental responsibility for a disabled child is given money to pay for the service instead of the local authority arranging that service on their behalf. 

What can Direct Payments be used for?
As a parent you can use direct payments to employ a person to support and care for your child/young person as a carer, or to support your child at a community activity, for example a youth club. Or you can use direct payments to buy a local service, for example an after school club.

Am I eligible for Direct Payments?
Your child or young person may be eligible to receive Direct Payments if they are assessed as needing a service. The local authority will carry out an assessment to determine eligibility, looking at the your child or young person's circumstances as well as the needs of your family.

How much would I get from Direct Payments?
When your child or young person's needs are assessed, the Council will also consider your needs as a parent and the needs of your whole family. This is done through a holistic assessment, which looks at everyone's circumstances together. If your child or young person is assessed as needing support, you may be offered Direct Payments. The amount you receive will be based on what the Council considers a reasonable cost to purchase a service of a similar standard to the one they would normally provide. 

Are Direct Payments right for my family?
Direct payments may be useful for your family in the following situations:

Limited Flexibility in Existing Services - If current services don;t fully meet your child or family's needs, Direct Payments can offer the flexibility to arrange support that works better for you.

Lack of Control Over Service Arrangements - If you feel you have little say in how services are delivered, Direct Payments might give you more control, although they may also involve extra responsibilities like managing staff or budgets.

Living in a Rural Area - If you have to travel long distances to access services, Direct Payments can help you hire someone locally, saving time and reducing travel. 

Independent advice and information is available through Enham Trust. Their role is to support families with all aspects of their direct payment if required - http://www.enhamtrust.org.uk.

How do I request Direct Payments?
You can request an assessment through the local authority by contacting the Contact Advice and Assessment Service on (01635) 503090 or by contacting your social worker. “The local authority will decide whether a child/young person is eligible by carrying out an assessment of the needs of the child/young person and their family.”

Further Information
For more information, please contact the Children with Disabilities Team on 01635 503161/503165.

West Berkshire Council will actively strive to address inequalities through its planning and delivery of services. All Council members, employees and agents will work to eliminate unlawful and unfair discrimination and to promote equality and good relations within all sections of the community. We will treat everyone with respect, regardless of race, disability, gender, age, religion or sexual orientation.

If you require this information in a different format, such as audio tape, or in another language, please ask an English speaker to contact the Children with Disabilities Team on 01635 503161/503165. who will be able to help.

West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.