Option 1

Direct payment process

Process for Option 1

1. completion of an assessment (outcome focused assessment) of care and support needs to identify agreed outcomes
2. submission of assessment to funding panel
3. set up of direct payment by SDS Officers, by contacting person or their representative
4. issue of guide to direct payment and guide to spending of a direct payment

See A Helpful Guide to Self Directed Support in Highland for all People who choose Option 1 - Direct Payment (pdf - February 2023)

See A Guide for Spending a Direct Payment Budget (pdf - March 2023)

Payment card

The payment card is the bank/debit card which the funding from NHS Highland for the direct payment is transferred into. 

1. SDS Officers from NHS Highland opens this account on your behalf
2. Issue of Highland payment card information sheet and Highland payment card FAQ
3. NHS Highland will monitor spends for audit purposes and on occasion may request evidence of transactions  

See EML - Highland Payment Card - Information Sheet (pdf - March 2023)

See EML - Highland Payment Card - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf - February 2023)

If you are still currently on the old monitoring system please complete and submit your quarterly financial return using the Direct Payment - Financial Monitoring Form  (pdf - 2023).

Personal assistant (PA) 

A personal assistant (PA) is the name given to the person employed to support someone who has a direct payment.  This can be helpful in terms of having choice, control and flexibility, and in ensuring that care and support is provided consistently by carers who are familiar to the individual and the family. When employing a PA this means that the employer has responsibility for:

• arranging a contract of employment between themselves and the PA
• arranging the payment of all tax and national insurance
• offering a PA the option of a work place pension, if applicable
• arranging statutory insurance (indemnity and public liability insurance)
• arranging appropriate training for your PA (see training section below)
• ensuring that the PA has an up to date PVG certificate from Disclosure Scotland

Independent Support will be able to assist with all of the above.

If a person is contracted with a self employed PA please ensure the following:

• the PA is registered with HMRC for tax and national insurance purposes
• the PA has an up to date PVG certificate from Disclosure Scotland
• the PA has relevant insurance to work as self employed
• the PA provides invoices

Training for PAs

PA Network Scotland currently offer flexible e-learning health and social care training courses which are available to all self directed support personal assistants.  These courses are accredited and certificated.