Proactive approach ‘holds key to wider use of direct payments by disabled people’
Local authorities in the North East and in Yorkshire and Humberside have been among the slowest to implement ‘direct payments’ that offer cash in lieu of care services to disabled people, older people and carers. But a new research study from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation concludes that the barriers preventing progress can all be overcome if councils are prepared to take a more proactive approach.
Launched today at a conference hosted by Disability North at St James’s Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, it finds that while a few northern authorities have played a leading role in promoting direct payments, take-up has been well below the national average. It also notes that the two regions have fewer pressure groups for independent living led by disabled people themselves, which has reduced the pressure on councils to change.
The report describes how Direct Payments North, an action research project working with three volunteer councils, was established to change attitudes and administrative systems inside local authorities and to raise awareness of direct payments among potential users. Its methods included ‘roadshows’ and information-sharing events as well as the introduction of a training programme for social workers and the appointment of a specialist direct payments worker in each council.
The main areas targeted for improvement were:
- Culture and communications within councils: the general level of awareness of direct payments in some authorities was poor, with senior managers treating them as a low priority. The appointment of direct payments ‘champions’ provided focus and inspiration.
- User involvement and independence: the success of direct payments relied on the authority’s ability to work with user organisations. Willingness to share power with user organisations and to involve users in training council staff were among the positive steps that helped build a constructive partnership.
- Commissioning and financial planning: lack of clear information about direct payments from the council finance department was one of the most important barriers to implementation. There was often little or no information available within authorities on how to transfer money to direct payments from existing services.
- Networks: there was a general lack of networks where local authorities could share their experiences and expertise regarding direct payments.
Frances Hasler, Director of the National Centre for Independent Living and co-author of the report, said: “The benefits of direct payments for disabled people who want to organise their own care arrangements have been well-researched and are undisputed. Government regulations introduced last year require local authorities to offer them to all eligible individuals. Yet there is still a lack of understanding about direct payments and the best way to implement them.
“Our work with the three local authorities and a planning tool we have developed from it – Smooth routes to direct payments – will enable managers and staff to use their existing knowledge and expertise to recognise the opportunities and fast-track implementation.”
