Direct Payments in Manchester: Giving Families More Choice and Flexibility

Recently, some of our TDS staff and carers joined a Zoom session to learn more about Direct Payments (DPs) and how managing a cash budget could help carers purchase better care for their loved ones. We were joined by Debbie and Sonia from Manchester’s Direct Payments team, whose dedication to making DPs work for families was clear throughout the meeting. They reassured carers that their team is always available to support families at every stage - from setting up a Direct Payment to recruiting carers and problem-solving along the way. This level of support was incredibly reassuring for everyone who attended.

How Direct Payments Work

The first step is a Care Needs Assessment for the person with dementia, carried out by either a Care Assessor or a Social Worker. If their care needs meet the threshold for council-funded support, families can choose a Direct Payment instead of having the Social Worker arrange the care package.

Next, a Fairer Charging Assessment determines how much the person with dementia will contribute to the cash budget, just as they would pay charges to the council. Once this is agreed, both the family and the person receiving care pay into a dedicated bank account, which is then used to pay for care.

Families can then decide whether to employ a Personal Assistant directly or purchase care from an agency of their choice. The DP team guides advertising for and interviewing carers, as well as recommending agencies. For families, one of the key benefits of a DP is that friends or family members can also become paid carers, so long as everything is set up correctly and safely.

A sensitive question often asked is whether the main family carer can become the paid carer. While this isn’t usually recommended, it can be possible if there is a strong case and professionals agree that the carer is physically capable of delivering all aspects of care. Of course, if the person requires two carers for tasks like hoisting, this wouldn’t be feasible.

Some families may feel unsure about handling payroll themselves. In these cases, an accountancy firm that works with the DP team can manage payroll on their behalf. The main responsibility of the family carer is to log care hours and ensure that the person’s needs are being met.

Life-Changing Benefits

Direct Payments can provide families with peace of mind and greater flexibility. We know of one TDS family who have found it life-changing—they employ carers to be with their Mum/Grandma throughout the day, paying for some hours themselves and using the Direct Payment for the rest. This setup gives them excellent cover, support, and reassurance that their loved one is well cared for.

Direct Payments can also cover day care for social interaction or respite, as well as 1:1 social support from TDS or any other approved agency or carer.

If you’re considering a Direct Payment for your relative, or would like more advice about how it works, please speak to us at TDS. Our team is here to help you explore whether a Direct Payment could be the right choice for your family.