Direct Payments

[mummy2oandh]

We were given direct payments after a long battle to get help to pay a nurse so I could go to work part time. Our needs changed last September when DD was well enough to go to nursery part time and I couldn't find anyone to provide the other help we needed. I phoned the council who gave some phone numbers for agencies and I told them the situation.

In January I still hadn't found someone so I started paying a cleaning agency as well as a nurse for a few hours. The direct payment team phoned yesterday to say I am not entiltled to pay for a cleaner as it wasn't on our care plan but I did mention to them what I would need help with if I was doing all the rest myself.

Sorry this is long...

They also said they may ask for the money back that is still in the account (approx £200) that I didn't use when we didn't have anyone and they may stop the payements altogther.

Can they take back the money? make me pay back what I have used for a cleaner? My argument is that in the direct payment book it says you can use it for a cleaner and I know other people that do.

Thanks for any advice.

My understanding is that it's all down to the "outcomes" you wanted. For example, if your desired outcome was to spend more time with your DD, then a cleaner may have facilited this.

Presumably, your outcome was to go to work, and while you and I may agree that a cleaner would facilitate that, you probably asked for the money to pay for a nurse.

I'm not explaining it well at all - I only know the theory of DP from a work point of view, and not the actual practicalities, so I'm maybe not the best person.

Unfortunately, they are entitled to ask for the money back (and any unspent money) and stop future DP. You cand get better advice from your local DP support service. If you're in Scotland, I can get you contact details of the best place to help.

AP
I'm in Scotland and just starting to get somewhere (hopefully) with the whole DP process...its only been nearly 3 years since i asked for them!
Could you give me the contact details as a support service could be useful!

What's your LA area? I'll dig out the details at work tomorrow and let you know.

North Lanarkshire, thanks!

My understanding was always that you could use DPs for anything within reason that helped us get a break. I checked very carefully with senior people here about having someone to do the ironing and was told it was fine. Although they may have different ideas in different areas I think the basic rules are universal, set out by Govt. Maybe you need a reviewed Care Plan to widen the agreed uses. You can also use them to pay for clubs/schemes (although they should pay for those separately), food and travel etc incurred when carers take out your DC. I had to enlighten the Head of our Soc Workers about the last part as she was convinced it was not allowed. I had been doing it for over 5 years and all was Ok with the Finance Dept, just the Soc Workers and their bosses don't know how to apply DPs! They can take money back, although it would be very harsh for £200. Can you make the case that you will spend more by using more hours during half term? Anything to get them off your back. Good luck.

Glittery, I'm surprised it's taking so long. North Lan are light years ahead of any other local authority when it comes to DP. In fact, they're one of the pilot LAs.

The support organisation for your area is SPAEN (Scottish Personal Assistant Employer's Network) and their phone number is 01698 250 280. www.spaen.co.uk

You might also want to get in touch with In Control Scotland, if you haven't done so already - 0141 418 5933.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks for that!
Yeah NL did the In Control pilot in 2008 i think it was but they have decided just to stick to DPs for the under 16's.

so far i have had everything from "you dont look like you need any help" to " sorry we dont have any caseworkers they are all tied up with child protection" and they told HV, community nurse and anyone else who enquired that unless ds was "at risk" then i'd just have to wait.
Eventually i got a SW assigned who knew nothing about DPs then she left and i got another one who also knew nothing about them and would have to read up on it.

I have spoken to SPAEN in the past as my aunt used to work with Peter Brawley at the GCIL a few years back and i've spoken to someone today who's a non executive director of In Control Scotland who has also given me info on North Lan's pilot which made it all sound fab and easy but to be honest none of my friends in other localities in NL are getting anywhere either.

One mum had Homecare going in but it wasnt working out so she asked for DP but the SW then decided her ds wasnt eligible! They have been offered a few hours from Barnardos instead.

Its weird as i have equipment coming out of my ears, just need to ask for something for ds and seem to get it no problem, which i know from friends isnt the usual but ask for DPs and its a nightmare!
I'm hoping to get it sorted out for the new school term in August but not holding my breath!