Direct Payments

Carers UK conducted a survey into carers' experiences of direct payments in November 2008. If you are considering using direct payments, here are things you may want to consider.

• Will you have a proper, consistent care package?
• What happens when your carer is sick?
• Will you be able to manage the administration?
• What extra insurances will you need?
• What are the responsibilities of being an employer and the rights of an employee?
• What are the tax implications for your carer?
• How will you comply with legislation and regulation surrounding employing a care worker?
• How will you ensure that your care worker is up to date with changes in practice and new developments?

If you still want all the flexibility of direct payments without the hassle, you can use your direct payments to purchase care from a care agency.

Derg Valley Care can offer you:

• high quality care
• high quality, well-trained and vetted staff
• a care package to meet your needs
• access to a range of services including domiciliary care, day care and lifestyle management programmes
• training and support for voluntary carers
• administration service for your direct payments
• the confidence of working with an agency which has full registration with RQIA

Derg Valley Care supports CHOICE – for you, that means, not just flexibility but ....

   
C   onfidentiality    
H   igh quality care   
O   ptions that suit your needs
I    ndependence    
C   arer support and training 
E   quality

Some organisations offer an administration service for direct payments but they cannot guarantee continuity of care. Our promise to you is that if your carer is sick or on holiday, you will still ge the care you need.

And remember, Derg Valley Care is a registered charity so when you use services from us or make a donation to our work, you are helping to support other vital local services.