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5.1.1 Carers Direct

This chapter was previously known as Carers Direct Payment and significant changes have been made in November 2008.

See Carers Assessment Form for Carers Direct


Contents

  1. What are Carer's Direct?
  2. Who are the Carers who can Receive a Carer's Direct ?
  3. Which Children/Young People are Eligible for their Parents/Carers to Receive a Carer's Direct ?
  4. Letter of Confirmation
  5. Request for Cheque


1. What are Carer's Direct?

Carers Direct are one off payments to carers. They are primarily for the benefit of the carer. However, this could include some services which involve the child i.e providing 'an extra pair of hand' to help a family do something together or a one off holiday.


2. Who are the Carers who can Receive a Carer's Direct Payment?

Carers who can receive Carers Direct are parents or those who care for children and young people with disabilities on a daily basis; or any other person who cares for the child/young person with a disability on a regular daily basis.  This would not normally be those carers' giving short breaks, but would be those giving full time care even if that parent/carer receives short breaks.


3. Which Children/Young People/Young Carers are Eligible for their Parents/Carers to Receive a Carer's Direct Payment?

  • All those children/young people with disabilities, who are eligible to receive a service from the Children with Disabilities Team
  • Children who would meet the criteria for receiving a service under the Children in Need thresholds as used by the division.  In particular, children/young people living in a household where the parent/carer also has a disability, which would prevent them from completing the full parenting task.
  • Young carers who are caring for an adult with a long term illness or disability where the adult would have assessed needs to require a service( though they do not have to be in receipt of a service to receive a Carer's Direct.
  1. Parents/carers should have a carer's assessment before any payment can be made.  If there is an appropriate assessed need then a payment may be made.  Carers can complete this themselves or can be supported to complete the carer's assessment form.
  2. The money should be used to provide support not currently available via the Division or the voluntary sector.  For example, it should not be used for a sitting service for children with disabilities or to provide a short break for children with disabilities if this is already available.  For example, these services may not be available to children not supported by the Children's Disability Team and may then be assessed as appropriate.
  3. Carer's Direct Payments should be used for low-level one off payments for preventative supportive services.  For example:
    1. Breaks for carers (including holidays in certain circumstances.  For example, financial hardship or social isolation)
    2. An extra pair of hands (perhaps to enable the parent/carer and the young person they care for, to go out together)
    3. Activities to relieve stress: improve morale: improve the relationship with the young person they care for
    4. Payment for someone to do household maintenance where caring responsibilities would otherwise make this impossible.
  4. The amount given is dependent on the request and the assessed need, though amounts up to £300 are more likely to be successful.

    The request should state what the payment is required for; how much it will cost, with a breakdown if necessary; when the money is required; and why this money is required, e.g.  to support the carer.
  5. Process:
    1. Where a carer's assessment has already been completed by the social worker or parent/carer themselves and the need for a carers direct identified, the carers assessment form and as much information as possible (see Section 4, Letter of Confirmation) together with the finance form to enable the cheque to be raised should be sent or faxed to the Senior Administrative Assistant on ext. 5138.
    2. Requests for a carer's direct payment via the district office or Children with Disabilities Team, (where the cared for young person does not have an allocated social worker) should be recorded as an initial referral by the duty officer.  As normal, as much information should be gathered at this point via completion of the Carers Assessment form and a statement of what the need is for, (see Section 4, Letter of Confirmation), together with the finance form to enable payment.
    3. The Divisional Manager and the Team Manager for Children with Disabilities will meet regularly to discuss each individual request and the amount of Carers Direct to be made.
    4. If the case is unallocated, the duty officer should complete the Carers Assessment, a statement of what the need is for (see Section 4, Letter of Confirmation), and financial form (see copies attached).  If allocated, the social worker should send a letter of confirmation.
    5. Admin. staff will input the carer's assessment and direct payment as a carer's service on SWIFT.  Administrative staff attached to the Carer's Network will enter details on the Carers' Network, if the parent/carer agrees to this.  In order to do this, the social worker/nurse needs to e-mail the carer's details to the Network Clerk or carers can contact the Network direct (The Carers Network is a mailing list open to carers aged 18 and over who care for a family member or friend of any age, who has a long-term illness, is disabled or frail.  Members receive a newsletter 3 times a year, have access to a Carers Help line and can apply for a ‘peace of mind’ emergency card.  Members of the Network also qualify for the Council’s Options + Leisure card.  For The Dudley Carer newsletter and fact sheets for carers see the News Archive on the Children’s Social Care homepage. To refer someone to the Network ring.  Christine Rowley, Carers Co-ordinator on 01384 818723, or email.  Carers can also make contact direct.)
    6. The carer's assessment should be sent to the carer for signature if completed by a duty worker or social worker.  A letter of confirmation should be sent to them to sign and return.
    7. Parents/carers will need to keep proof (invoices, receipts etc.) that the money has been spent on the agreed purpose but the Directorate will not routinely expect these to be provided.  They may be requested by Children's Social Care for audit purposes and so should be kept for 3 years.  The social worker/duty worker should therefore ensure that the parent/carer is advised of this.
  6. Advice and informal discussions about carer's Direct can be obtained.

The Carers Network is a mailing list open to carers aged 18 and over who care for a family member or friend of any age, who has a long-term illness, is disabled or frail. Members receive a newsletter 3 times a year, have access to a Carers Help Line and can apply for a 'peace of mind' emergency card. Members of the Network also qualify for the Council's Options + Leisure Card.  For The Dudley Carer Newsletter and fact sheets for carers see the News Archive on the Social Services homepage. To refer someone to the Networking. Christine Rowley, Carers Co-ordinator on 01384 818723 or email. Carers can also make contact direct.


4. Letter of Confirmation

Click here to view letter


5. Request for Cheque

Click here to view form

End