In Partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
 
Direct payments are a cost effective way of delivering services to disabled people and their carers. They promote independence and aid social inclusion. Implementing direct payments enables local authorities to meet other government priorities for social care and provides a tool for achieving a range of policy objectives.

This report explores the barriers to and successes in the delivery of direct payments, based on a project conducted in the north east of England. It concludes that key to the success of direct payments are a supportive local authority infrastructure combined with an understanding of the principals of independent living and a commitment to partnership with users.

The challenge for local authorities is twofold: to establish strategic frameworks to ensure that the systems, training, understanding, documentation and lines of communication are in place, and to actively seek partnership with users and user organisations with the aim to set up support services for direct payments that eventually be user-led.

Professionals within the social care sector are required to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Those who use this resource will be able to gain CPD points.

Format: A4 perfectbound (84pp) and booklet