The Provision of Direct Payment Support Services

The Council has a statutory duty under the Children’s Act 1989, Section 17, to offer the option of direct payments to parents or carers with parental responsibility for Children with Disabilities. The Carers and Disabled Children’s Act 2000 extended eligibility to include 16 and 17 year olds and those with parental responsibility for disabled children. This is detailed in Section 17 of the Children’s Act 1989. Instead of directly providing services, the Council can now give payment (direct payments also known as personal budget) directly to parents/carers of children with disabilities to make their own care arrangements. Direct payments are made to parents/carers whose children with disabilities have been assessed by the Council as needing care and support services. This payment allows parents/carers to choose and organise care services that are appropriate and meet their needs. Some families will use the money to buy care from an agency or directly employ their own staff or members of their extended family to provide the care. The Council promotes improved health, independence and inclusion through the provision of care and support services which enable children with disabilities and their families to achieve as full and independent a life as possible.