Social care direct payments

You could be considered for direct payments if:

• you're already receiving social care from us
• you've been assessed as eligible for care
• you're a carer who has been assessed as eligible
• you're the parent of a child or young person with a disability or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The payment must be used to purchase services that will meet the person’s needs outlined in their support plan.

Find out more about getting direct payments for someone who cannot make decisions about their care needs.

How to get direct payments

To get direct payments, your social care practitioner will send a referral to the Self-Directed Support Team.

You'll also need to complete a financial assessment to see how much you can pay towards your care. A Financial Assessment Officer will contact you to complete your financial assessment.

When you start your direct payment plan you'll be asked to sign the direct payment scheme terms and conditions.

Financial assessments

Anyone who receives care and support paid for by us will have a financial assessment. This is to find out how much you should pay towards the cost of your care and support. 

The amount of money you must pay is called your client contribution. You'll pay this first and then we'll pay for the remaining cost of your care and support.

Find out more about financial assessments.

Find out more about how to pay your client contribution.

Getting direct payments for someone who cannot make decisions about their care needs

If an individual has been assessed as lacking capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, an authorised person can act in their best interest and manage the direct payment solely on their behalf.

A practitioner will determine who can act as an authorised person. This could be an independent body or organisation.

How your direct payment is paid to you

Find out more about how you can have your direct payment paid to you.