Direct payments

If you've had a social care assessment which has shown you are eligible for support with your care needs , you could choose to manage this yourself with a direct payment.

A direct payment means you will receive an agreed amount of money to arrange the support that you need, instead of the council arranging this for you. This gives you far more choice and control over the way you arrange your day-to-day help.

For example, you can use your direct payment flexibly and innovatively, allowing you to tailor your support around your care needs, in a way that suits you best.

You can choose who will help you and decide when and how they will do things for you but you must only spend your direct payment on meeting your eligible needs, as agreed and recorded in your support plan.

Many people use their direct payment to employ their own care worker, known as a Personal Assistant or a PA.  This could be someone you know, who understands your needs, who speaks your language, or shares your interests. We will support you to arrange this.

Alternatively, you can use your direct payment to arrange and pay for services through a care agency of your choice.

I like the independence Direct Payments give me. I feel much more in control and can make my own decisions about how my care is provided.  - Newham resident

What are the benefits a direct payment?

A Direct Payment gives you control as well as flexibility over what care and support you have and when you have it. This means that you can organise your care and support according to how you feel this works best for you, and you would not be limited to the care providers the Council works with.

A Direct Payment could allow you to employ your own Personal Assistant, often referred to as PA’s. The benefit of employing a PA is that you will have direct control over the tasks they complete for you and when and how they do it. You may already know someone you trust, who understands your needs, who speaks your language, who shares your interests who you would prefer to employ to provide your care and support. If not, you can be supported to find a PA.

Either way, a Direct Payment places you in control and allows you to be innovative, as well as flexible, in deciding how your care needs are best met. For more information, ask your Social Worker about Direct Payments and how you could benefit and they will be able to talk this through with you.

How do I get a direct payment?

During the support planning process, we will talk to you about different ways you can spend your personal budget. This will include direct payments.

We will explain the benefits of a direct payment as well as the responsibilities you will have, so that you can make an informed choice.

If you decide to have a direct payment and it is agreed this a suitable method of meeting your needs, we will refer you to our Direct Payments Team. They will contact you to discuss your requirements with you in more detail and support you to make the necessary arrangements.

If your care is already arranged by us and you would like to start receiving direct payments instead, please call your adult social care team to discuss this on 020 8430 2000 and choose option 2 from the menu.

If you would like independent information about direct payments, please refer to our factsheet ‘Independent resources for direct payments’.