Managing direct payments – children with disabilities

Once direct payments have been agreed, you are responsible for arranging and managing the support for your child.

The support must continue to meet the needs identified in your child’s social care assessment.

Reviews of direct payments

Direct payment arrangements are reviewed regularly to make sure the support continues to meet your child’s needs.

Direct payments are normally reviewed every 6 months.

A review may result in the arrangements:

• continuing as they are
• being increased
• being reduced

Direct payments for young people aged 16 or 17

A young person aged 16 or 17 may receive direct payments in their own right if they are able to manage them with appropriate support.

We will consider the wishes of both the young person and their parents before making a decision.

Financial contributions

No contribution is necessary, however if you buy additional or more expensive services, you'll need to pay the difference in cost.

When direct payments may be refused

We may refuse a direct payment if:

• the service being arranged would not meet the child’s assessed needs
• a parent refuses to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for a potential personal assistant or support worker
• a parent wishes to employ someone who does not have a satisfactory outcome to their DBS check
• it does not appear that the parent is able to manage the payments