Direct payments for adult social care

A direct payment is when we pay your personal budget to you—if you're eligible and willing—so you can arrange your own care and support, giving you more choice and control over how it's delivered.

Contents

Arranging and managing your support

Employing a Personal Assistant (PA)

If you employ a PA, you become their legal employer. This means you must meet all employer responsibilities, including:

  • Providing a contract of employment
  • Managing payroll, holiday pay, pensions, and National Insurance
  • Paying sick pay and arranging insurance
  • Following safe recruitment practices

We strongly recommend carrying out a DBS check. We will fund this in eligible cases.

Please note:

  • Do not make cash-in-hand payments
  • We discourage using self-employed PAs or communicator guides because of employment status risks—speak to us if you’re unsure
  • Direct Payment Support Providers can help with recruitment, DBS checks, payroll, and HR. These costs are usually covered by your direct payment

Using a Home Care Agency (CQC-Registered Provider)

Using a home care agency usually means less day-to-day responsibility than employing staff. It also provides emergency cover.

You will agree the contract and rate with the provider. If their charges are higher than your budget, you may need to pay the difference.

Make sure your contract is clear about:

  • What’s included in the service
  • The notice period (ideally no longer than one month)

Pay invoices promptly to avoid service disruption.

Acting for Someone Else

If the person cannot consent, an authorised person can manage the direct payment on their behalf. They must:

  • Meet our criteria
  • Involve the person as much as possible
  • Keep accurate records
  • Meet employer duties if hiring staff (a DBS check may be required)

If you do not want (or cannot) manage the account yourself, you can:

  • Nominate a representative (the card will be in their name), or
  • Ask for a managed account with a Direct Payment Support Provider for financial administration

(You remain responsible for arranging care unless a separate care representative is appointed.)

Your Responsibilities

Direct payments are public money. You will sign a Direct Payment Agreement. In summary, you must:

  • Keep records (invoices, wage slips, receipts) for 7 years
  • Check records match the care delivered and amounts paid
  • Pay your assessed contribution first (our funding is the “top-up”)
  • Tell us immediately if:
    • Your needs or costs change
    • You are admitted to hospital
    • Services stop
  • Take part in monitoring and reviews. We may reclaim surpluses or overpayments, or suspend a direct payment if terms are not met
  • Speak to your practitioner early if costs rise—do not agree to higher fees without checking affordability

If you need to suspend or end a direct payment (for example, due to hospital admission), tell your practitioner and the Direct Payment Team straight away. When a direct payment ends, the card will be locked. Approved final bills can be paid as part of the final account.