Direct Payments for Children

What are Direct Payments?

Direct payments are a way of increasing choice and flexibility in how your child's needs are met.

A Direct Payment is a cash payment made by Social Work Services to parents to purchase services for their disabled children. Your child must have first been assessed as needing those services. The Highland Council must offer the choice of a Direct Payment to anyone who is eligible.

What can it be used for?

A direct payment is money for you to use to arrange the services that Social Work Services has assessed your child as needing. You choose who provides the care, when, where and how you want it. You will have more control and choice. However, if you prefer to receive local authority services to meet some of your child’s needs this can be arranged and a mixture of direct services and payments can be provided.

In order to secure the services your child needs you can make arrangements yourself and employ your own staff who will report directly to you or they can be purchased from an independent provider eg. private or voluntary organisations. The amount you receive should be enough to allow you to meet all the costs involved. If you decide to employ someone directly this should include tax and National Insurance.

Direct Payments cannot be used to pay for services from a partner or close relative living in the same household.

If you employ your own staff they would need to be police checked and you would also need to take up two references. The Council will carry out the police check for you and this would be free.

Are they for me?

Whilst direct payments can offer more choice and flexibility, they are not for everyone.

By accepting a direct payment you take on the responsibility of managing the money and arranging the services that meet your child’s needs. However, you do not have to employ your own staff but could instead contract an agreement with an agency or voluntary organisation to provide the service and local payroll companies can take care of the financial side of being an employer. The cost of this help will be included in the calculation of the amount of direct payment you will receive.

Who do I need to talk to in order to find out more?

If your child already receives a Social Work service speak to your normal contact about eligibility. If no services are currently provided contact your local Social Work office about obtaining an assessment. (see over).

There is now a Direct Payments Support Officer based in Kinmylies Building. She can be contacted on 01463 703425 or e-mail Claire.Sutherland@highland.gov.uk

Highland Council Social Work Services Children and Families Teams

Badenoch, Strathspey & Nairn

Area Social Work Team
60 King Street
Nairn
IV12 4DN
Tel 01667 453746

Aviemore Area Office
Schoolhouse
Milton Park
Aviemore
PH22 1RR
Tel 01479 81025

Caithness & Sutherland

Area Social Work Office
125/127 High Street
Wick KW1 4LR
Tel 01955 605040

Thurso Area Office
16 High Street
Thurso
Tel 01847 893835

Area Team
Olsen House
Main Street
Golspie KW10 6RA
Tel 01408 634040

Inverness

Area Social Work Office
Merkinch Area Team
Carsegate House
Glendoe Terrace
Inverness.
IV3 6ED
Tel 01463 724040

Culloden Area Team
Culloden Shopping Centre
Keppoch Road
Culloden
IV1 2LL
Tel 01463 791338

Lochaber

Lochaber East Team
Fulton House
Gordon Square
Fort William PH33 6DX
Tel 01397 707025

Skye & Lochalsh

Children & Families Team
Tigh na Drochaid
Bridge Road
Portree IV51 9ER
Tel 01478 613921

Ross & Cromarty

Children & Families Team
Suie House
Brigend
Alness IV17 0UD
Tel 01349 882609

Children & Families Team
Slioch
Castle Street
Dingwall IV15 9HU
Tel 01349 865262

Children & Families Team
Scotsburn Road
Tain IV19 1PR
Tel 01862 893021

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