Direct Payments consultation

We wanted to hear about your experiences about our Direct Payment scheme and ideas about how we can improve it.

We would like to thank all those who contributed and took the time to complete surveys about direct payments.

• You gave us feedback during the consultation on direct payments and the direct payment policy.
• Although some people said that the proposed direct payment policy is clear, other people said that it isn’t.
• You asked for case studies to be included in the direct payment policy.
• You asked for a clearer outline in the direct payment policy of client contributions and how they work.
• You said that videos would be helpful to explain about direct payments.
• Although some people said that direct payment information is clear others didn’t agree.
• You asked for information to be co-produced.
• Some people said that they weren’t given information on direct payments.
• You asked for details of the support that is available with managing direct payments.

• We have listened and written an action plan of things we will do.
• We are reviewing the direct payment policy to make it easier to understand.
• We have included a case study within the direct payment policy.
• We have included client contributions in the case study.
• Sefton Carers Centre have produced two videos on direct payments.
• We have started work on creating information leaflets on different areas of direct payments.
• We are changing our direct payment website so it is clearer and accessible.
• During the consultation people offered to help create information with us.  We have contacted them and we will hold our first meeting in the new year.
• We have produced guidance for staff about direct payments in Sefton, this will be given to new staff.
• We have started work on creating a welcome pack for people starting with direct payments. It will include useful contact details.