For more information about direct payments for disabled children please use the contact details on the right.
What are Direct Payments?
Direct payments have been set up by Northamptonshire County Council to give people with parental responsibility for a disabled child, the entitlement to receive money to pay for services themselves, instead of the local council arranging them on their behalf.
What services can Direct Payments be used for?
- Personal care in the child's own home
- Sessional support for a child taking part in recreational, leisure, cultural or sporting activities
- Family based short break care
- Residential short break care
- Holiday support
For guidelines about each of the above services, please contact either your social worker or the Direct Payments Carer Adviser at Northampton Carers
What services can't they be used for?
- Service provided by the local council
- Services that are the responsibility of other agencies, for example NHS trusts or schools
- Long term residential care
If I receive direct payments, can my child use local council services as well?
Yes, if a combined "care package" is required to meet your child's assessed needs.
What if my child's needs change?
Direct payments arrangements are reviewed at least once a year, in the same way as services provided by the local council. A review could result in the arrangements continuing unchanged or being increased or decreased.
How can I access direct payments?
The needs of your child and your family will be assessed or reviewed in the usual way by a social worker, and the level of service to meet those needs will be determined.
- If your child has a social worker and you would like to know more about accessing direct payments please contact her/him.
- If your child does not have a social worker, contact Northamptonshire Carers Direct Payments Adviser, for more information about assessment.
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Can I be refused a direct payment?
The local authority can refuse a direct payment if
- The service the parent wishes to purchase would not meet the child's needs
- A parent refuses to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check on a potential personal assistant or sessional support worker
- A parent wishes to employ someone who does not have a satisfactory outcome to their CRB Check
- It does not appear that the parent is capable of managing the payments
What are my responsibilities as a recipient of direct payments?
- To purchase the service(s) that Disabled Children's Services have agreed to, and that are set out in the Family Support Statement.
- To ensure that the services you are purchasing meet the assessed needs of your child
- To abide by employment law – for example, registering with the Inland Revenue and having employer's insurance if you employ personal assistants to care for your child
Can I employ a relative or partner as a personal assistant or sessional worker?
No you cannot, unless there are exceptional reasons why this is the only way your child's needs can be met.
Will I be supported in setting up and managing a direct payment?
Yes you will - Northamptonshire Carers provide a comprehensive information, advice and support service to parents who receive direct payments. Your social worker will make a referral to the service for you, and arrange a home visit
What happens if something goes wrong with the services I am purchasing with a direct payment?
It will depend on what has gone wrong.
- If you are not satisfied with a service, you should address any issues yourself with the person/organisation providing it. If you would like some help to do this, please talk to the Northamptonshire Carers Direct Payments Adviser or your social worker.
- If the county council is not satisfied with the service, it has a right to withhold a direct payment, and may terminate the agreement in the event of any serious concerns.
Do I have to make any contribution towards direct payments?
No, though you may purchase additional or more expensive services if you wish to do so
What happens if I do not wish to continue with direct payments at any time?
The Direct Payment Agreement that both you and a county council representative will sign requires that you give four weeks notice in writing if you do not wish to continue with direct payments.
What happens when my son/daughter reaches the age of 18?
- You will not be able to receive direct payments to meet the needs of your child once he/she has reached the age of majority (18th birthday), in the capacity of the
" person with parental responsibility".
- If you are to continue to care for your son or daughter into adulthood, you may be entitled to receive direct payments to purchase carers' services, in the capacity of a "carer". (Northamptonshire Carers Direct Payments Adviser can provide you with information about carers' services.)
- Your son/daughter may receive a direct payment in their own right, provided they are able to manage the payment. Assistance in managing direct payments is available.
Can my son/daughter receive a direct payment in their own right before their 18th birthday?
- A young disabled person aged 16 or 17 may, as part of the transition to adulthood, take control of parts or all of the direct payment
- The wishes and views of both the young person and his/her parents would be taken into consideration before any decisions were made, and the county council would need to be satisfied that the young person was capable of managing the direct payment him/herself, or with the appropriate assistance
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