ANNEX C: CHECKLIST FOR CARE/PERSONAL PLAN FOR DIRECT PAYMENTS
What the person's needs are as identified in the assessment?
To which of these needs do the direct payments relate?
How will the person secure the appropriate services?
What variations to the way in which the direct payments are used does the local authority expect to be asked in advance to approve?
What support (if any) does the person need to manage their direct payments?
How will this support be made available to the person?
What arrangements has the person made to cover emergencies?
What arrangements will the local authority make when the person's emergency cover breaks down?
How much money (giving a breakdown) does the local authority consider necessary to secure the appropriate services?
How much of this total will the local authority contribute in direct payments, and how much is the person expected to contribute?
How often and in what form will payments be made?
What arrangements does the local authority propose for monitoring? How often? What information should the person provide? What access will be required to the person's home or financial records?
What information does the local authority require for audit purposes, and when?
When will the next review take place?
What should the person do if he or she wants to stop receiving direct payments?
In what circumstances will the local authority consider discontinuing direct payments (permanently or temporarily)?
How will the local authority and individual handle any temporary gap in direct payments being made?
How much notice will be given if the local authority discontinues?
How will any outstanding commitments be handled if direct payments are discontinued?
In what circumstances would direct payments be withdrawn with no notice?
In what circumstances would the local authority seek repayment?
Has the client been made aware of the local authority's complaints procedure?
Is there a retainer fee for staff if the person receiving a direct payment is admitted to hospital for a period? (The person would have a contract of employment with their staff and would not want to pay them off if they had to be admitted to hospital. It would disrupt their support and could delay discharge if they were unable to retain staff.)
Can an individual in receipt of a direct payment nominate someone supporting them with their direct payment to be involved in the monitoring process with/for them?