Direct Payments consultation

This consultation has now closed

Adult Services with the support of Children’s Services undertook a review of Direct Payments. The purposal was to make it easier for people to obtain and use Direct Payments, while at the same time making sure that Hampshire County Council meets its duty of care for individuals and its legal obligation to account for the way in which public money (Direct Payments) is used.

We believe that the proposed changes presented in this consultation document are the best way of improving Direct Payments.

These proposed changes relate to:

Self Assessment
Direct Payments Risk Assessment.
Support Agency Role
Outcome based care planning

The information about the proposals is complex, so to help as many people as possible to take part in the consultation, we presented the information in different ways. These included an information document, workshop events, telephone helpline and interviews.

The information document sets out the proposed changes and why we believe they will improve the Direct Payments scheme. This information has been written in Plain English but may not be suitable for everyone, which is why we also offered the workshops and the telephone helpline.

The workshops provided people with information about the proposals and an opportunity to discuss them in small working groups. The information was explained and people were able to ask questions so that they had a clear understanding of the proposals. People also had time to talk about their personal views during small group sessions and were able to put these forward via the group or by completing the questionnaire. Support was provided in the groups to make sure everyone was able to take part. However specialist help for people with complex needs may not have be available. Due to this we suggested that people attend the event with someone who has experience of supporting them. If this was not possible they should have told us what help they needed before arriving at the event so that it could have been arranged for them.

We also had a Direct Payments telephone helpline and email address for people wishing to be involved but having difficulties. We offered interviews via the telephone or face-to-face interviews for people unable to use other methods.