Islington council wants to encourage people using its social care services to take advantage of using direct payments to arrange their care services.<br><br>Direct payments gives service users greater control of their care needs by allowing them to arrange their own services, giving them greater choice and consistency of care.<br><br>Dee Davidson is happy to help spread the word about direct payments which lets her arrange her own care instead of having Social Services organising it for her. <br><br>Direct payments mean that Dee, who needs 24-hour assistance, can have the cash to choose her own care workers instead of having people sent from an agency. New leaflets explaining the service were launched this week at the London Voluntary Resource Centre in Holloway Road. <br><br>Dee who has Multiple Sclerosis said: ‘I like being on direct payments because I like to have some control. I really didn’t like it when support workers came in and assumed they were in charge in my house. Your house then becomes their house and I don’t want it to be their house, I wanted it to feel like my own home not someone else’s. <br><br>‘Being on direct payments has given me my independence back because I always know now who’s coming to my gate since I can employ my own workers with direct payments.<br><br>‘Prior to my diagnosis I ran my own business and did lots of sports as well as developing my skills as a DJ so being in this position has shown me how vulnerable disabled people can be.’ <br><br>Dee also added that it was a bit daunting at the beginning handling all the paper work and administration when she became the employer with all the responsibilities that entails. However you can enlist support to help you with recruiting and employing staff. <br><br>Adult Social Services and Children’s Services can give direct payments for all community care services they arrange or provide. These include: <br><br>· Personal care eg help with washing, dressing and eating meals<br>· Help with domestic tasks including shopping and housework<br>· Short-term breaks (respite care)<br>· Day time activities<br>· Occupational therapy equipment (available from summer 2005)<br><br>You may be able to get direct payments if you are 16 or over and have been assessed as needing a community care service. <br><br>Adults who are interested in direct payments should contact your local social services office or the Information and Access Team on 020 7527 2299. For children you should contact the Disabled Children’s Team on 020 7527 3394. <br><br>Councillor Meral Ece, executive member for adult social care commented:<br><br>“Everyone wants to feel as though they are in control of their lives. We want many more people to benefit from direct payments, if they feel its right for them. <br><br>Direct payments gives our service users the chance to arrange their own services in a way that best suits their lives. <br><br>It's another example of how we are improving services for the better."<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009