What is a Carer's Direct Payment?
A Carer's Direct Payment is money provided by Warwickshire County Council to support unpaid carers to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence alongside their caring role.
Direct Payments can be provided as a one-off payment or as ongoing support. They are designed to help carers achieve the outcomes identified through a Carer's Assessment and support them to continue caring in a way that is sustainable.
How could a Carer's Direct Payment help?
A Carer's Direct Payment can be used flexibly to help you achieve the outcomes agreed during your Carer's Assessment.
Examples might include:
- Maintaining your health and wellbeing
- Gym membership, swimming sessions or exercise classes.
- Taking time for yourself
- Opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests.
- Support with household task to give you some time back.
- Building confidence and skills
- Courses that help you develop skills, knowledge or confidence.
- Reducing social isolation
- Membership to local groups, clubs or community activities.
- Opportunities to maintain friendships and community involvement.
Any agreed use of a Direct Payment must relate to the outcomes identified through your Carer's Assessment.
What can't a Carer's Direct Payment be used for?
Direct Payments cannot be used:
- To pay yourself for the care you provide.
- To provide personal care, respite care or replacement care for the person you support.
- To pay for food, drink or alcohol.
What is a Carer's Assessment?
A Carer's Assessment is a conversation about how caring for someone else affects your life.
It looks at your health and wellbeing, relationships, employment, interests and the day to day activities you carry out while caring for someone else. The assessment helps explores what support may help you continue in your caring role while still doing the things that keep you safe and well.
The assessment is also an opportunity to discuss whether a Carer's Direct Payment may be appropriate and how it could help you achieve the things that matter most to you.
How can I access a Carer's Direct Payment?
If you think a Carer's Direct Payment may help you can contact Caring Together Warwickshire for more information.
Following a Carer's Assessment, your practitioner will discuss the available support options with you, this may include a Carer's Direct Payment if appropriate.
How does the process work?
You have a Carer's Assessment.
Your goals, often referred to as outcomes, are explored and agreed between you and your practitioner.
If a Direct Payment is appropriate, an amount is agreed to help achieve those outcomes.
Payments is arranged as either a one-off payment or as ongoing support, depending on their purpose.
The payment will usually be paid directly into your bank account, or you may be offered a pre-paid card. Once received you can use the Direct Payment as agreed.
Will I need to pay anything myself?
Warwickshire County Council does not charge carers for support provided through Carers' Direct Payments.
You will not be financially assessed and receiving a Carer's Direct Payment will not affect any benefits you receive.
Reviews
Ongoing Carers' Direct Payments are usually reviewed annually to make sure they continue to support you.
You may be asked to provide evidence, like a receipt, to show it has been spent in the intended way.
Reviews also provide an opportunity to discuss any changes in your circumstances and whether your support arrangements are still effective.
Useful contacts and further information
Direct Payments Support Team (DPST)
Telephone - 01926 413908
Email - DPSTofficers@warwickshire.gov.uk
Caring Together Warwickshire (CTW)
Telephone - 0800 1975544
Website - Caring Together Warwickshire