Spending your Self-Directed Support budget

A direct payment to a family member can be considered where:

• the family member, the Direct Payment user and local authority agree to the family member providing the support
• the family member is capable of meeting the Direct Payment user’s needs
• any of the following apply:
  • there is a limited choice of service providers who could meet the needs of the Direct Payment user
  • the Direct Payment user has specific communication needs which mean it will be difficult for another provider to meet the needs
  • the family member will be available to provide support which is required at times where other providers would not reasonably be available
  • the intimate nature of the support required by the Direct Payment user makes it preferable to the Direct Payment user that support is provided by a family member
  • the Direct Payment user has religious or cultural beliefs which make the provision of support by a family member preferable to the Direct Payment user
  • the Direct Payment user requires palliative care
  • the Direct Payment user has an emergency or short-term necessity for care
  • there are any other factors in place which make it appropriate, in the opinion of the local authority, for that family member to provide the support