Direct Payment case studies

The case studies show how the right technology, the right process and the right help with planning can promote direct payment take up.

• Cost capped external support planning

  Disability Direct is a disabled people's user led organisation based in Derby offering a support planning service.

• Creating a truly personalised support plan

  Essex Coalition of Disabled People Solutions offers a unique independent support planning service.

• Well Planned programme of implementation

  A well planned programme of implementation of new technology by Hull City Council has led to a steady increase in uptake of direct payments.

The case studies present a number of methods that are available to support people with managing money and staff recruitment. Managed bank accounts, PA registers, online communities and other tools can promote direct payment take up

• In-house approved register

  The Isle of Wight Council scheme 'Support with Confidence' is an approved scheme for personal assistants.

• Managed direct payment accounts

  Equal Lives in Norfolk manages over 2000 accounts for direct payments recipients in Norfolk & Suffolk

• Older people and support planning

  The service provided by Age UK Kensington and Chelsea is for people who have a personal budget or who are paying for their own care.

• Peer Support

  The 'Stronger Voices...Strong Support' project is developing a changing culture in Darlington and the surrounding local authority areas.

• Personal Assistant Register

  The North West Personal Assistant Register (NWPA) is an easy-access, secure online recruitment tool that empowers Employers and Personal Assistants to search for the Right Person or the Right Job, in one place.

• Prepaid cards

  Camden Council have provided people with prepaid cards for direct payments .

• Tailored support for mental health service users

  Sheffield Mind provide a "Budget Management Service" for people who opt to take their personal budget as a direct payment.

• User friendly PA database

  Choices & Rights goal was to provide a user-friendly PA database that has useful information for anyone in receipt of Direct Payments.

The case studies highlight the flexible nature of direct payments and how this can be used to the benefit of more people.

• Carers payment prescription

  The Surrey GP Carers' Breaks scheme aims to encourage surgeries to identify carers and refer them on for a carers' break direct payment.

• Embedding direct payments

  Cambridgeshire County Council developed a plan to tackle both public and staff awareness of direct payments.

• Independent Living Trust

  Parents of four people with learning disabilities in Derbyshire created 'TRUST 23', an independent living trust (ILT)

• Pooling direct payments

  The tenants of Trust 121 are adults who have high support requirements, they now pool their direct payments.