Direct Payments Support Service (DPSS) back
Information, advice and support provided by the DPSS
The aim of the DPSS is to help you to have as much control and choice over the support you need as possible.
We provide independent information, advice and support to people using Direct Payments money and help you decide on the kind of support that will best meet your individual needs, whether you wish to employ your own staff or use an agency.
What the Support Service Does:
We can inform and support you with your rights and responsibilities in having a direct payment.
- We can advise you how to use your direct payment.
- Help and support you with managing your money.
Personal Assistant
A Personal Assistant (PA) is a person employed by you to support you to live independently in the way you choose. The kind of things you can employ a PA to do can be for personal care, such as bathing and dressing, or domestic such as cleaning, and driving. This could include support with administration, support with organising finances, parenting duties, or going on holiday. They are not ‘carers’ as they are not caring for you, they are personally assisting you. You are employing them to do a job. They are working for you.
If you have decided to employ your own PA the DPSS can provide support with:-
(1) Advertising & Interviewing
- Help and support with drafting job adverts, job descriptions and contracts of employment.
- Provide a Recruitment Service which means our phone number is used on adverts, we talk to people who phone in about the job and send out job descriptions and application forms. We make a charge (currently £30 each time you recruit) for this service to cover costs.
- Provide support with interviewing.
- Keep a database of potential Personal Assistants.
(2) Management of PAs
- Support you with planning and putting into place induction and supervision procedures for staff.
- Provide information about training for yourself and your PA. We also organise various training courses.
- Support you with dealing with staff issues, e.g. deciding on the house rules for staff, disciplinary procedures.
- Provide up-to-date information and advice on Employment Law.
- Provide information about sources of back up for relief cover, (BUT NOT ARRANGE THE COVER).
- Provide a list of names of people willing to provide relief support if available.
(3) Payroll Service
- HCIL can provide a Payroll Service.
- Provide information about how to do payroll yourself or how to access other agencies that offer a Payroll Service.
(4) Other Information & Services
- HCIL produces a bi-monthly newsletter that is sent out to all service users.
- We have a comprehensive library of information. You are welcome to borrow videos, books and pamphlets on subjects including Independent Living, employing Personal Assistants, Employment Legislation, and Health and Safety Law.
If you have decided to use a Care Agency for support the DPSS can :-
- Provide information about different agencies and support you with meeting and interviewing agencies to help you decide which agency will best meet your needs.
- Liaise with agencies on your behalf about issues to do with your Direct Payment as directed by you.
The DPSS CANNOT make decisions for you, recruit staff on your behalf, provide or organise relief cover, discuss issues
with your staff except when you have asked us to do so.
The whole process may at first seem daunting. The DPSS is there to support you with every step of the way.
The Direct Payment is there to enable you to live independently and have choice and control over your life. The support service will provide as much, or as little, ongoing support that you feel you need with the direct payment, and managing your personal assistance.
