Direct Payment Support Service

Tender description

The Council has a statutory duty under the Children?s Act 1989, Section 17, to offer the option of Direct Payments to parents or carers with parental responsibility for Children with Disabilities. The Carers and Disabled Children?s Act 2000 extended eligibility to include 16 and 17 year olds and those with parental responsibility for disabled children. This is also detailed in Section 17A in the Children?s Act 1989. Instead of directly providing services, the Council can now give cash (Direct Payments) directly to parents/carers of children with disabilities to make their own care arrangements. Direct Payments are made to parents/carers whose children with disabilities have been assessed by the Council as needing care and support services.