Self Directed Support

missile

Hi,

I have studied the SDS literature and feel option 1 Direct Payment might give me more flexibility.
Can anyone who is using option 1 Direct Payment please advise how it works in practice?

nannytone_2

I get direct payments.
You have a social serviceassessment, and they secure the level of funding you require.

I employ 2 personal assistants, in order they can cover gokidays.  Other people ise agency staff, but that doesn't give me the level of flexibility ility I require.
I use a managed bank account, which suits me, because I prefer to not have direct responibility for payroll

poppy12345

I have experience with direct payments. I employed my daughters PA myself. A bank account was set up by our LA and the DP were put into that account. I used a payroll company to produce the wage slips and tell me how much to pay. I then paid the PA using the bank account the payments went into. I paid HMRC what was needed, each period.

missile

Thanks for your prompt responses.
I think flexibility is main advantage for us. 
Do you stick rigidly to Assessment care plan?
Was it a challenge to find the right carer(s)?

Do you have any other issues?

Any advice on this? >
A non-residential financial assessment will be completed with you, where applicable, to find out if you are in a position to make a financial contribution towards your support. Your practitioner will support you to complete the initial financial assessment. This is known as ‘Contributing to Your Care and Support’. Paying your contribution (if applicable) is your responsibility. You must pay this into your prepaid card account to ensure that your goods, activities and services can be paid and that any contingency amount is maintained. 

nannytone_2

I am blind, so my care plan us basically gelpimh me do whatever I want to do.
There is no way agency staff would be appropriate to cater for me.  Also having people I trust is umportant as to a degree, they have to help with financial issues.

O employ a friend and the daughter of another friend, so know yjrm both personally.

I use a managed bank account, overseen by the payroll company.funding is paid into the account and I send iffy timeshares every 4 weeks.
I get an invoice from the council, and pay ny contribution directly to them


 

missile

Thankyou for sharing.
Having people we trust is very important to us too.
I hear stories from others re council provided staff changing every other visit, staying for minimum time before rushing on to their next appointment.

Cyclamen

Hello Missile

Another DP employer here.  I have a team of PA's who work for me, the council social care buy the insurance and fund payroll and employer support from a local charity.

I have used my direct payment for 12 years now and like the flexibility but it is getting increasigly harder to recruit.. it doesnt help that the hourly rate funded by adult care is often lower than cleaners, dog walkers, shop workers in many areas.  But good PAs do exist and make life so much better.  
The councils seem to think we all have a neighbour or friend we can pay to be a PA.

I have also used agency carers with my DP.. that way i had a little say over who came and when, but it wasnt a great fit for me, a couple of brilliant carers but then some not so great.. and DP allows a more full flexible life. 

My PA is here at the moment as I type, making breakfast, food prep etc, getting the day set up and world organised etc.  

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Financial assessment. 
This can be tricky.. there is a magic number called 'minimum income guarantee' that the government says we all need to live off.
The council will then add up all your income.. this doesnt include wages from paid work but does include ESA, pensions etc. PIP daily living not mobility is also counted as income by a lot if not all councils. 

So you will usually fill in a form and send some bank statements off.. they come back with a figure of how much they want as 'contribution'.. you can challenge this and chip it down a bit using Disability Related Expenses.

DRE are things you buy because of your health / disability need... this is open to debate and many of us do debate a lot.  Perhaps you need extra laundry, have to eat special diet, maintain wheelchair, but special adpated clothing, entrance tickets so that your PA can accompany you otherwise you cant go.. save your reciepts on anything that you spend as a disabled person and include them.. they may not accept all but worth asking.  

It is really expensive living with a disability and the initial care contribution figure can be quite high an dput people off accessing the care they need as they then may not be able to fund the essential stuff to live with their disability.