Purpose

The purpose of the direct payments support scheme is to ensure that adequate advice, information and support is available to all relevant adult population groups, to enable the service user to effectively use direct payments to enhance their quality of life, operating efficiently within statutory requirements of the system.

The direct payment service has been reviewed and it is proposed to deliver a revised model and delivery of service to optimise that there is choice and control for the citizen:

Decision

Appendix 3 to this report is exempt from publication pursuant to Paragraph 16 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED: THAT

1. the approach being taken to encourage the use of direct payments, including work to support the development of micro-enterprises to provide care and support and the review that is underway to improve support services for direct payment recipients be noted.
2. a new direct payment rate of £16.86 per hour for care and support services provided by micro-enterprises, to recognise their additional expenses and to ensure sustainability of the services provided be agreed.