A direct payment a sum of money paid to a family instead of a provided service. The advantage of a direct payment is that a family can choose how to spend the money and can provide a more specific service for their young person.
Support when using a direct payment
For some families, direct payments provide an exciting opportunity to achieve the outcomes they want for their young person in new and innovative ways.
For others, the idea of managing a large sum of money, and even becoming an employer, can be understandably daunting.
The Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living (CIL) (opens new window) can support you.
Peer Support
One way is through a network of Peer Support we organise across the County.
'Peers' are people who are equal through a shared experience or status - being disabled people, older people or carers and Direct Payment users. Peer Support means people who already receive a Direct Payment meet together to support each other, share experiences and best practice with other people. Peer support can help to solve any problems or issues that may arise with people who have previous experience and without the need to involve 'professional' help.
Wiltshire CIL employs two part-time Peer Support co-coordinator to organise and arrange the Peer Support Group Network across Wiltshire. The groups hold regular meeting at venues local to you. The people that attend the meetings decide what they would like to discuss or if they would like to get a professional person to attend to talk about any topics relevant to using a Direct Payment. For example, we can organise for someone from the Tax Office or Benefits Office to attend and talk about any issues that will or is likely to affect you in managing your budget. If you do not want to attend alone you are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you.
Sometimes the group just meet together to chat about recent events or issues and support each other with any difficulties they may be facing. If you would like to hear about or join a group near you, please contact the office.
Contact the centre of independent living
Telephone:
Main office: 0300 1233 442
Share this page
