In this guide you will find how direct payments work for children and young people 0 to 18 years old.
Direct payments is money paid directly to you to choose and buy the services your child with a disability has been assessed as needing. The services could be in addition to, or instead of, services provided by the council as part of your child's care package.
Your child's direct payment must be used to achieve their agreed needs and outcomes. These will be different for each child and will usually be identified as part of an assessment. For example, this might be a carer to help with personal care needs, or funding to access sports activities which improve health or wellbeing or social opportunities for your child to build confidence or social networks. Direct payments can also give parents and carers a short break from caring for children.
The proposed direct payment will be considered at the appropriate funding panel before any direct payment can be agreed and provided. Direct payments will be monitored by the council to check that funds are used for agreed outcomes.
Before you can receive a direct payment, you will need to sign an agreement with the council to confirm you will use the direct payment in accordance with council guidelines.
16 or 17-year-olds can sometimes manage their own DP if they have capacity. Your worker will discuss this with you.