Centre for Policy on Ageing



Choice or chore? — carers' experiences of direct payments
Corporate Author	Carers UK
Publisher	Carers UK, London, November 2008
Pages	10 pp
Source	Carers UK, 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX. http://www.carersuk.org/Policyandpractice/Research...
Keywords	Services ; Social security benefits ; Informal care ; Social surveys.
Annotation	Carers have found that the services they have received from their local council since the introduction of direct payment schemes are better than those previously received. The results of a survey on the benefits of direct payments is presented. While the message is positive, 'Choice or control' also comes with a warning that proper support must also be in place to help carers manage direct payments. Case studies illustrate carers' positive and negative experiences; and a good practice example outlines what the Ayrshire Independent Living Network provides to direct payment users. Local authorities could improve their service to carers as follows: speed up the application process; make it a real choice; provide employment support; make sure all costs are covered; allow families to employ family members; don't back off, back up; value carers' administrative support; and keep commissioning highly specialised services. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-090507201 E
Classmark	I: JH: P6: 3F *
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.