Direct Payments question

[HecateQueenOfWitches]

Hi guys

Quick Q

Can you get direct payments for things like music therapy, art therapy or ABA? That sort of thing?

Ta muchly.

Being kicked off pc now but will check back later to see if anyone knows.

You need an SS assessment and the 'need' has to be stated in the report. I doubt if any of those qulaify and some would almost certainly be seen as educational rather than social needs so not appropriate.

ah, I see. Even though music / art therapies are said to help vulnerable children develop confi"dence, self-esteem and social interaction skills" according to a report? Do you think social services take such things into account? And ABA is all about helping them to function in the world?

See, although both my children have autism, we have never sought or been offered any help or input from social services, so I have no idea how they think / operate.

If you get DP you can more or less employ who you want to look after your child and give you and family a break. So basically you would employ a carer who was a tutor but just say she/he is a carer. But I think a typical respite package would be something like 4 hours a week in term time so probably a drop in the ocean in the hours you would need a tutor.

No, it sounds about right.

Not my experience.

nikos is right. If the person you employ under DPs happens to be doing communication/behaviour work with them then that's fine. You don't have to spell out ABA tutor iyswim.
Starlight, that is your LA although many are no better from what I read here.

Someone said that SCOPE had guidelines on what DP's could be spent on and that it is very broad technically. LA's just try and restrict their use

thanks v much

Can you get DP if you only have one child? Daft question I know, I just thought you got DP to spend time with your other kids?

We use my DS2's DPs to pay for him to attend a local drama group.. The local blurb states it's to benefit his social interaction etc ...well drama cub does just that! They have never queried it

Waiting... it matters not if you have one child or 4, it's meant to be assessed on THAT child = family's needs...

Mind you it's hard to do much unless you get a decent number of ours.. we had to fight to get 3 hours a week for a LONG time..!