Social services - direct payments

The direct payments scheme has been set up by Dorset County Council Adult and Community Services to give people control over the services they receive, and when and how these services are delivered.

What are direct payments?

Direct payments is the name for money given to people by Dorset County Council to pay directly for the services they need.

Direct payments can be used by you to buy-in services instead of Adult and Community Services making arrangements. These services could be home care services, day care services and/or short term breaks.

Direct payments enable people to choose who to employ to deliver these services. Most people who use direct payments employ a personal care assistant.

Who is eligible for help?

We have a duty to assess anyone who is eligible for community care services but we have to work within the resources available to us each year. This means we are not able to offer services to everyone who contacts us. To make sure services are provided fairly and used to support people in the greatest need, we use guidelines we call 'eligibility criteria'. We assess people's needs individually to find out if their level of need qualifies for a service and, if so, at what level of priority.

Who can receive direct payments?

Direct payments are available to a wide range of people over the age of 18 and who are either currently receiving care and support services from Adult and Community Services, or have been assessed as needing them.

Young people with a disability aged 16 to 18 can also receive direct payments, as can the parents/people with parental responsibility for children with disabilities of any age who want to buy services for them.

In some circumstances, carers will also be eligible for direct payments to pay for services they need in their own right. Contact your Dorset County Council local office for further information.

People receiving direct payments must be willing to manage the finance provided, with help if needed. There is help available to get people started, and to recruit suitable staff.

How could direct payments benefit me?

Direct payments give more choice and control over the way people would like their needs to be met.

They are intended to encourage and support independent living, because if a person buys their own care they are likely to have greater control over how services are arranged and delivered.

Will I automatically receive direct payments if I'm eligible?

No, it is not automatic but if you are interested in direct payments, your care manager will tell you more about them.

If you then decide to explore the option further your care manager will carry out an assessment with you to see whether direct payments would be a good choice for you.

We want to make sure everyone who receives direct payments understands them fully and is able to manage them confidently.

What services will I be able to buy?

You will be able to buy the equivalent of those care services you have been assessed as needing.

The law does not permit you to buy long term residential care or services from Adult and Community Services with direct payments, but we will be happy to offer advice on possible alternatives.

This could either be through employment of your own personal carers or you could have a contract with an agency for the services.

How can I find out more?

To find out more about direct payments, speak to your care manager at your social care local office.

Your care manager or a member of our staff will also be able to put you in touch with an independent information, advice and guidance service which has been set up specifically to help people deal with direct payments. If you prefer you can contact (opens in a new window) this service yourself.