Direct payments to help meet care needs
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Direct Payments is a sum of money paid to a person by the council to pay for their unmet care and support needs. The purpose is to give people more choice, greater flexibility, and more control over the support they receive.
Who can receive direct payments
You can receive direct payments if you are aged 16 or over and assessed as having unmet care and support needs.
People caring for someone (carers) who have unmet care and support needs may also be entitled to a direct payment in their own right. Find out more about support for carers.
A person or their authorised person must be able to agree to having a direct payment and also have the capacity to manage one themselves, with whatever support they are able to access. You can nominate a person to act of your behalf.
How to get a direct payment
We require two assessments to be completed in order to set up a direct payment.
Adults assessment
An adults assessment is needed to see if you have unmet care and support needs and are entitled to receive a direct payment.
Get an assessment:
- Call: Social Care Direct 0208 359 5000
- Email: socialcaredirect@barnet.gov.uk
If you have eligible needs, we will draw up a care and support plan with you.
If you are assessed as having unmet care and support need you may choose to receive a direct payment for you to arrange your own care and support or you can choose to have it managed by the council. You can also choose a combination of these options.
For example, the council could arrange some of your care but send you the rest of the money by direct payment to meet your unmet needs outlined in your care and support plan
The amount you receive will depend on what care and support you have had been assessed as needing.
Financial assessment
We will also ask you to complete a financial assessment form to check if you are able to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care/support.
As part of the financial assessment, you will need to send us evidence of your income, savings and outgoings, as set out in the form.
Find out more about financial assessments
The financial assessment form must be completed before a Direct Payment can start. If you have been assessed to pay a contribution, it will be deducted from your Direct Payments.
Using your direct payment
Direct payments are designed to be used however you need, as long as it meets eligible care and support needs identified in your care and support plan.
This could include:
- getting help with personal care
- employing your own carer or personal assistant
- choosing an agency of your choice
- employing a personal assistant to help you access the community and help you attend activities
- paying for one off pieces of equipment
- attending day care services and college
Managing your direct payment
When a direct payment budget has been approved, you will be contacted by the Direct Payments Team to provide guidance on managing your direct payment.
If you decide to employ a Personal Assistant/carer, we will outline your legal responsibilities as an employer. We will ask for evidence of the personal assistant (carer) right to work in the UK and verification of their employment status.
If you decide to use a care agency, we recommend that you carry out research around their suitability. You can do this by asking or checking:
- to see their liability insurance policy
- if they directly employ their carers
- if their carers have current DBS checks
- how they deal with any complaints
- the agency are registered with the Care Quality Commission
- that the agency rate is within your approved direct payment budget
We will ask you to complete a Direct Payments Agreement. This is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions you will need to agree to when receiving a direct payment.
Receiving your direct payment
Prepaid card
The money will be into a prepaid account every 4 weeks which the council will set up on your behalf. The prepaid card will work in the same way as a bank account. You can use the card anywhere that has the Mastercard logo, using chip and pin.
You will still be able to set up Direct Debits or Standing Orders and carry out payment transfers.
You can also use the Prepaid Card to pay care agencies and other providers of care. Please ensure your prepaid card is only used to pay for goods and services agreed in your Care and Support Plan.
You should also note that your prepaid card cannot be used to withdraw cash.
Managed payroll account
You can choose for a third-party payroll agency to help you with managing the financial element of the direct payment.
If you choose to have a managed account, the Council will pay the direct payment funds into the managed account instead of setting up a prepaid card account. Payments such as personal assistant (PA) wages and HMRC or agency invoices are made on your behalf by the payroll provider
You will still have full control over your direct payments and will be responsible for the appropriate use of your funds.
Monitoring of your direct payment
The council will regularly monitor direct payment accounts. This is to ensure the money is spent on outcomes outlined in your Care and Support plan.
You must provide the Direct Payments Team with the following paperwork on request in order to reconcile the account
- Copy of insurance certificate
- Copies of payslips or invoices
- Evidence that payments are being made to HMRC
It is important that you provide the necessary information within the specified time otherwise the council may suspend or withdraw your direct payment and make alternative arrangements to meet your care and support needs.
You can upload the monitoring documents to the online prepaid card system or send them by email or post to the Direct Payments Team
Support and further information
The Direct Payment Team will provide advice and support to direct payments recipients.
For more information and links to useful websites:
Contact Details for the Direct Payments Team
London Borough of Barnet
2 Bristol Avenue
London, NW9 4EW
Phone: 0208 359 4650