Direct Payments - Information, Advice & Guidance Team
OUR SERVICE
Many people want more control over how their care is organised — who supports them, when the support happens, and what that support looks like day to day. Direct Payments make this possible by giving you funding directly, so you can arrange care in a way that fits your life rather than having to follow set service times or routines.
Direct Payments are offered by the local authority and can be used by people of all ages. For children under 16, the payment is made to an adult with parental responsibility. Before a Direct Payment can be set up, the Council will complete a needs assessment and a financial assessment with you. Once these are agreed, you receive an allocated budget to arrange the support outlined in your care plan.
Many people choose to use their Direct Payments to employ a Personal Assistant (PA). This might be someone they already know and trust, someone who shares their language or cultural background, or simply someone whose availability suits their routines. Others prefer to work with a self-employed PA or a care agency of their choice. The key benefit is the freedom to choose how and when support is delivered.
Our Direct Payment Support Service in Southend is here to make the whole process clearer, easier and fully compliant with your responsibilities. We guide individuals and families through every stage of managing a Direct Payment, from the first steps of becoming an employer to the ongoing tasks that keep everything running smoothly.
If you are employing a PA, we can help with HMRC registration, payroll, timesheets, holiday calculations and understanding your legal duties as an employer. For those looking to recruit, we offer support with creating job adverts, using our PA register, and preparing for interviews so you can find the right person for your needs.
Once a PA is in place, we assist with employment contracts, insurance, and meeting statutory requirements. We can also complete DBS and reference checks to help you build a safe and confident working relationship with your staff. To make day-to-day management easier, we provide a range of downloadable templates and resources for record-keeping, payroll and general administration.
If you choose to have a direct payment, your social worker can make a referral to us. We will contact you once we have received that referral and a Self-directed support co-ordinator can arrange to visit you at home to guide you through the sign-up process and answer any questions. If it’s easier, we can arrange an appointment at our head office, or we can send and receive documents by post or email — whichever option fits best around your life.
Our aim is to make sure every individual using Direct Payments feels informed, supported and confident in arranging the personalised, high-quality care that works best for them.
Why choose Southend Care’s direct payment advisory service? Â
At Southend Care, our self-directed support co-ordinators combine professional expertise with real-life experience supporting close family members who receive Direct Payments. This insight allows us to provide guidance that is practical, relatable, and easy to follow.
What this means for you:
- Understanding your challengesÂ
Our advisors know first hand the practical and emotional realities of managing Direct Payments and provide support with empathy and clarity. - Practical advice that worksÂ
From recruiting PAs to managing budgets and paperwork, our guidance is realistic, tested, and tailored to your needs. - Confidence and reassuranceÂ
We help you feel in control, providing patient support and clear guidance every step of the way. - Advocacy and empowermentÂ
With insight from their own families’ experiences, our advisors can help you navigate issues, make informed choices, and ensure you receive the support you’re entitled to.
At Southend Care, we’re committed to making Direct Payments work for you — practical, personal support every step of the way.
FAQs
You can contact us by phone, email, or through our website. We’ll guide you through the process and explain how we can help.
Our service is available to all Southend residents who are managing or interested in managing direct payments. For questions about eligibility, we can signpost you to the Southend Council website.
We provide flexible support to suit your needs. A Self Directed Support Co-ordinator can visit you at home, we can arrange an appointment at our head office, or we can send and receive documents by post or email—whichever works best for you.
We provide advice on budgeting, record-keeping, employing Personal Assistants, understanding responsibilities, and making the most of your direct payments.
Yes. We can guide you through forms, payroll processes, and tools to help manage your payments efficiently
Absolutely. We offer advice on recruitment, contracts, and employment responsibilities to help you employ support staff safely and effectively.
We aim to respond to all queries within 2 working days, so you can get the support you need quickly.
You can get short-term advice for specific questions or ongoing support to help you manage direct payments with confidence.
Yes. We provide practical resources to make managing payments easier and more organised.
Yes. All support is confidential, secure, and tailored to your needs.
No. Our advice and guidance service is completely free to use.
You can contact us directly, and we’ll work to resolve any concerns promptly and professionally.
While we provide guidance on managing direct payments, eligibility questions should be directed to Southend Council Southend Adult Social Care Portal