Children's Direct Payments

What are direct payments?

A direct payment is a sum of money given by your local authority for you to arrange the care and support for your child, that he or she has been assessed as needing.

What will direct payments give you?

• more choice about the type of support you get
• more control over who provides the support you get
• more flexibility over when you get support.

Who is entitled to direct payments?

• a parent or carer of a disabled child;
• disabled young person aged 16 to 17 years;
• a young carer aged 16 to 17 years.

What do you need to do to receive direct payments?

• undergo an assessment to establish whether you qualify as needing support services
• be willing and able to manage your direct payments - with support if required.

The Children & Families direct payments support service

This scheme is a support service for disabled children and their families who are interested in taking up direct payments.