Hi first time posting. The LA have agreed a budget for my child. We opted for option 1. They are saying they can pay us monthly into a bank account after the care plan has been agreed. I told them I was under the impression it was one large payment as needs may change each month eg sensory equipment one-off payment etc..Can someone clarify this please? Thanks
This is also my 1st time posting!LA in Scotland all operate differently & it can feel like they make up the rules as they go along & doesnât always feel very self directed! I live in Aberdeenshire & have MS. I use direct payment SDS option 1 to employ personal assistant¶ & residential respite for 3x 11 days respite annually to give my husband/unpaid carer a break. This had 1st to be agreed in my care/support plan &I receive money monthly for PA & 3x a year for the respite. This involved us having to be very assertive 2 years ago,to get them to agree to this!
Also this week I have finally managed to get my LA authorise to funding a MotoMed (Physiotherapy equipment) using the supplier âMedimotionâ hire to buy plan- it was a 6 monthly process involving me getting physiotherapy assessments putting 3x formal complaints after Location manager initially ignored evidence from myself & other professionals. I also latterly involved local councillors making sure I got what I was entitled to and ensure correct processes and policies were followed!
Unfortunately my experience isyou have to fight for everything & challenge decisions that do not follow the legislation or local policies. I think LA hope you give up! My care management team were supportive but it was their Senior management team that were completely incompetent!
Also local advocacy services and/or local SDS advisors may be able to help you or local politicians.
Good luck with it all & hope your LA is able to meet you childâs needs. Please donât hesitate to ask any other questions.
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Hi @Dee_mum
As @Kirsteen says, every LA operates differently when it comes to Option 1. Which LA are you in?
Most direct payments will be regular payments - either 4-weekly, monthly or 3-monthly, in my experience - which are designed to meet regular support needs, whether for personal care, social activities, respite etc. For example, it might be to pay a support worker/personal assistant to provide a number of hours of support for your child each week. Direct payments can also be for one-off expenses, equipment etc. but these would tend to be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Again, how each LA funds different types of expenses can be quite different.
Where I am in Perth and Kinross, direct payments are paid into designated bank accounts every 4 weeks. When these are for a child/young person, they are designed to meet the broad needs of the whole family. If there is a one-off expense, this tends to be a conversation with the relevant social worker to confirm that the budget can be used for this (if this has not been agreed at the outset).
The care/support plan for your child should make it clear what needs/outcomes the budget is designed to meet and whether these are regular or one-off. If you donât have a copy, then I would ask for this so that you know exactly what has been agreed. It doesnât mean you canât still look for flexibility in what you use the money for but you need to be able to be able to evidence that it broadly meets the agreed needs/outcomes. You may find that you donât have as much âchoiceâ and âcontrolâ as you expect (or need), but I hope thatâs not the case.
Your local independent SDS and/or carers organisation should be able to explain how things work in your LA area and how much flexibility you can expect when using your budget.
Hope thatâs helpful. Feel free to post with any more info/questions about your situation 
There is some info here that may be helpful:
Personal budgets and direct payments | Contact
Support for children and young people - The SDS HandbookThe SDS Handbook