What are Direct Payments?

Direct Payments allow people to plan and manage their own support rather than rely on other people or existing services that may not suit them. People receive an allowance from the Council with which they can buy services, or employ their own staff to support them in everyday life.

What is the Federation's Direct Payments Support Service?

Our free service provides advice and training to anyone interested in receiving Direct Payments. We can support people in recruiting Personal Assistants and managing their budget. We also offer a payroll service and administer payments and accounts on behalf of individuals (Please see the Payroll and Administration pages on our website for further information). There's lots more information available by clicking on the boxes below, or contact us direct:

What Do We Do?

• Act as a point of intial contact in accessing Direct Payments - explaining how the scheme works, discussion concerns and issues with the service user.
• Provide advice on managing payments and becoming an employer i.e. recruitment; advertising; interviewing; vetting; paying wages; dealing with Tax/NIC; drawing up contracts of employment; managing and supervising Personal Assistants (PAs).
• Assist with placing of advertisements for PAs including on our website, on Gumtree and with the local JobCentre Plus
• Produce written guidance material on all aspects of managing the scheme i.e. Advice Pack.
• Provide ongoing advice/ information to Direct Payment recipients e.g. changes to employment law, assistance with managing PA’s.

We also offer a Payroll and Administration Service, please see the information on our website under the Federation Services Menu.

Telephone:01273 29 67 47 (Opening hours Monday- Friday 10am-4pm)
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