Having a Direct Payment You can receive your Direct Payment in different ways: • Direct Payment Online Account (DPOA). • Self-Managed Account. • Managed Account Service. Considering a Direct Payment? If you would like to find out more about Direct Payments or to discuss which option might be best for you, please contact our Direct Payments Team on 01865 898989 and speak to one of our advisers, or email the team at Directpaymentadvice@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Oxfordshire County Council’s approved provider list The approved provider list includes providers offering support specific to Managed Accounts, Payroll and recruitment support for you to purchase to help you to meet your support needs; the cost of which will be included in your agreed Personal Budget amount. You can access the approved provider list at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ Search and select ‘Direct Payments for care and support’ then select ‘Direct Payments approved provider list (APL)’.
Looking after someone You may not see yourself as a ‘carer’ – you see yourself as a son, daughter, partner, friend or neighbour. But if you regularly support and care for someone who could not manage without you then you are a carer and there is help available to support you to carry on with this vital work and consider your own wellbeing. If you provide unpaid support to someone who could not manage without your help, the law says you have the right to have your own needs assessed, even if the person you care for has refused support services or an assessment of their own needs. A carers’ assessment gives you the chance to say what you need as a carer, and to find out what support might be available to help you to continue
in your caring role while still being able to pursue your own interests or lifestyle. Your physical and emotional wellbeing and quality of life are at the heart of the assessment. Your carers’ assessment will result in a personalised support plan that considers your own needs and will give you information about services available, and other ideas for supporting you in your caring role. You can also talk to a specialist carer support worker. You can complete a carers’ assessment form online by visiting www.oxfordshire.gov.uk and searching ‘carers’ assessment’. If you would like support with completing the assessment, contact Carers Oxfordshire. See page 18.
Respite care and short breaks Respite is alternative care or support for a ‘cared-for’ person so the carer can have a break from caring. It can range from a break of a few hours during the day so that the carer can go out, to a longer break of a week or more. A respite service may be provided in the home, for example a care worker comes in to look after the cared-for person, or in another place such as a care home or respite centre. Respite is considered to be a service for the person being cared for. If they have a Personal Budget for their
own needs (see page 16), they could use that money to pay for it. A financial assessment of the person being cared for will confirm whether they need to pay towards the cost of this service.
To find more information about care and support services visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/livewell
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