Direct Payments

A Direct Payment is money provided by Sefton Council to help you arrange your own care and support.

Instead of the Council arranging services for you, a Direct Payment gives you more choice and control over how your support is provided.

The services and support you arrange must meet the needs identified in your Care and Support Plan.

What can a Direct Payment be used for?

You may be able to use a Direct Payment to:

We will discuss your options with you and make sure any arrangements are agreed as part of your support plan.

Many people choose Direct Payments because they offer:

Direct Payments may be available to adults, young people and carers who are eligible for support from the Council.

We will discuss whether a Direct Payment is suitable for you as part of your assessment and support planning process.

If you receive a Direct Payment, you will be responsible for making sure the money is used in line with your agreed support plan.

Support is available to help you manage your Direct Payment, including advice about employing staff, keeping records and arranging services.

We want to make our information as easy as possible to understand.

You can choose from:

Fact Sheet - a detailed guide containing the full information, including important legal and financial details.
Plain English Guide - a simpler version of the same information, written in clear, everyday language.
Easy Read Guide - a shorter guide that uses simple words, pictures and clear layouts to make information easier to understand.

Choose the version that works best for you.

For more detailed information, please see:

Understanding direct payments

key information on direct payments for children

Key information on direct payments for adults