If you, or a child/young person with a disability whom you care for, are assessed as requiring a Community Care| or Children and Families service, you can now ask for a direct payment. This means that, instead of having the service provided by the Council, you can ask for the money to allow you to buy the services appropriate to the assessed needs.
Why choose a direct payment?
Direct Payments give you more control over your life and the plans you make. It enables you to choose who supports you, or your child, how and when.
A direct payment can be used to:
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employ a personal assistant to come to your home to assist you or your child
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contract with an agency or organisation
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pay for day or evening activities instead of going to a day service
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arrange a short break/respite.
For more information on direct payments, you can download our leaflets on direct payments, or alternatively you can contact us using the contact details shown.
Is there a charge for direct payment?
There is no charge for Children and Families Services or Direct Payment. Please refer to the Community Care section for information on the Direct Payment charges relating to Community Care services.
Please note that Direct Payments do not affect your benefits.
Who can receive a direct payment?
Those who are entitled to receive a Direct Payment include:
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disabled adults assessed as needing community care services
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disabled 16 and 17 year olds assessed as needing children’s services or community care services
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parents, or people with parental responsibility for a disabled child (under the age of 18) who has been assessed as needing children’s services
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attorneys and Guardians with welfare and financial powers to act on behalf of the person who needs the services.
And, remember, you can easily revert back to Social Work arranging your services if it does not suit you.
For more information on how to access the Direct Payment scheme, please contact your local social work office|, or alternatively you can contact the Forth Valley Direct Payment Support Service using the details shown.
A user's guide to self-directed support
The Scottish Government document 'Directing your own support: a user's guide to self-directed support in Scotland' may also be useful to you. It offers advice to people thinking about being in charge of their own social care support (for example, receiving their own direct payments) as well as for those already receiving this service. You can download this document from the Scottish Government's website|.