Hi Barry
you wrote...
> I work for a local authority implementing a Direct Payments Scheme, and I
> am looking for examples of ways in which people with cognitive impairments
> can be provided with suitable assistance to enable them to manage Direct
> Payments to obtain necessary services. One suggested model involves
> setting up a Trust, so that the task of managing the money is formally
> shared by others who ensure that the User's wishes and choices are acted
> upon. Has anybody used this approach?
Your example raises an important point of principle in implementing the
direct payments legislation. Simply giving people the cash and
expecting them to get on with it is an unwelcome option for many people
(although very much welcomed by others). There are several examples of
successful 'third party' schemes in the UK prior to 1996 legislation,
which indicate that direct payment schemes benefit from properly funded
Personal Assistance Support (PAS) schemes. These may provide
essential help with self-assessment, peer advocacy, emergency back-up,
administrative and recruitment tasks, payroll services and so on, as
required. The following references might be useful:
BARNES, C. (ed.)
Making Our Own Choices: independent living, personal assistance and
disabled people, 1993, Clay Cross, BCODP
ZARB, G., NADASH, P. & BERTHOUD, R.
Direct Payments for Personal Assistance: comparing the costs and
benefits of cash services for meeting disabled peoples' support needs,
1996, London, Policy Studies Institute (for British Council for
Organisations of Disabled People)
Disablement Income Group (DIG)
Personal Assistance Support Schemes and the Introduction of Direct
Payments: A report and recommendations, 1996, London, DIG
SIMPSON, F. & CAMPBELL, J.
Facilitating and supporting independent living: A guide to setting up a
Personal Assistance Support Scheme, 1996, London, Disablement Income
Group
OLIVER, M. & ZARB, G.
Greenwich Personal Assistance Schemes: An Evaluation
1992, London, Greenwich Association of Disabled People Ltd
SIMPSON, F.
Personal Assistance Support Schemes
in, Barnes, C., McCarthy, M. & Comerford, S. (eds)
Assessment, Accountability and Independent Living: confirmation and
clarification of a disability led perspective, 1995, Coventry, report
of a conference organised by Coventry Independent Living Group (CLIG)
and Coventry Social Services Department, Coombe Abbey, Coventry, 23/24
May 1995
BARNES, C.
Older People's Perceptions of Direct Payments and Self-Operated Support
Systems, 1997, Leeds Disability Research Unit, University of Leeds
In addition, you could try contacting Charlotte Pearson at Strathclyde
Centre for Disability Research, who's doing her thesis on the
implementation of direct payments.
With apologies for self-promotion, you might also like to look at the
relevant chapters in:
PRIESTLEY, M.
Disability Politics and Community Care
1999, London, Jessica Kingsley
Hope that helps.
Best Wishes
Mark Priestley
Disability Research Unit
University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
UK
Tel: +44 113 2334417/2334418
Fax: +44 113 2334415
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/dru/dru.htm
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