Unit 403 Support individuals to access and manage direct payments

1. Understand the role of direct payments

• 1.1 Explain the purpose of direct payments
• 1.2 Explain how direct payments relate to legislation and policies for providing care and support
• 1.3 Identify the range of services for which direct payments may be used

2. Be able to support individuals to decide whether to use direct payments

• 2.1 Identify sources of information and advice about using direct payments
• 2.2 Provide information and advice about direct payments in a way that is accessible to an individual and others
• 2.3 Access specialist guidance about using direct payments
• 2.4 Work with the individual and others to decide: a. whether a direct payment would be beneficial in meeting the individual’s needs b. the level and type of support needed to manage the direct payment

3. Be able to provide support to select services to be purchased with direct payments

• 3.1 Provide accessible information about services that are likely to meet the individual’s needs
• 3.2 Work with the individual and others to select support that meets their needs within resources available
• 3.3 Support the individual to check and understand documents produced by service providers selected

4. Be able to provide support for completing paperwork associated with direct payments

• 4.1 Contribute to completing paperwork to apply for direct payments, in a way that promotes active participation
• 4.2 Support the individual to make payments for services purchased, in a way that promotes active participation
• 4.3 Contribute to submitting claims and monitoring documents for direct payments, in a way that promotes active participation

5. Be able to understand how to address difficulties, dilemmas and conflicts relating to direct payments

• 5.1 Explain how dilemmas may arise between duty of care and an individual’s rights in the context of direct payments
• 5.2 Identify practical difficulties and conflicts that may arise in relation to direct payments
• 5.3 Describe strategies to resolve or minimise such difficulties, dilemmas and conflicts

6. Be able to contribute to reviewing the support provided through direct payments

• 6.1 Agree with the individual how the support they purchase will be evaluated
• 6.2 Work with the individual and others to evaluate the support they have purchased
• 6.3 Agree any changes needed to the support purchased
• 6.4 Provide feedback to organisations about the support purchased

7. Be able to contribute to reviewing the management of direct payments

• 7.1 Work with the individual and others to review the management of the direct payment
• 7.2 Agree any changes to the type and level of support needed for managing a direct payment
• 7.3 Provide feedback to people and organisations about the management of the individual’s direct payment