Older Family Carers -
Payments and Budgets
Direct
Payments
This is an
arranged sum of money given to someone for them to organise and pay directly
for any agreed support needed. Social Services can arrange for help with
recruitment and employer responsibilities. Alternatively, direct payments
can be used to buy care from an agency.
DP does not
suit everyone, so do not feel it has to be accepted. A ‘mixed package of
care’ can also be offered, which combines traditional services with a direct
payment.
Individual Budgets
This is a pot of money put
together from different organisations (like Social Services, housing,
leisure). The individual (and their family as necessary) assesses their own
needs and makes choices about the care and support they want to arrange. The
amount of money needed will then have to be agreed.
Council officers (or
sometimes others known as Independent Brokers) can help plan how best
to use the monies, and can put together a tailor made package of care.
Over
the next few years IB’s are likely to replace the more traditional
services provided by the council.
