Direct Payments

Direct payments, which allow you to arrange care and services yourself instead of receiving them directly from your local council, can be made to parents and carers aged 16 or over. This includes people with parental responsibility for a disabled child.

Direct payments can be used for a variety of services which offer your child stimulation, new experiences and independence. These include:

• short breaks
• nursery placement providing specialist support for you child
• assistance to attend an activity, for example a youth club
• personal care

For further information on direct payments visit the Direct Gov website.

The 'Every Child Matters' website has a parents' guide to direct payments for disabled children as well as a list of answers to frequently asked questions.