Disabled Children’s Direct Payments Team (DPT)

The Disabled Children’s Direct Payments Team is based at the Lough Rd Centre.

The team works closely with the Disabled Children’s Social Work Team (DCT) and the Disabled Children’s Family Support and Reviewing Team (FSRT) to set up child in need Support Plans and Personal Budgets for Children with Disabilities.

The Direct Payments Team works alongside families and professionals using a strength based approach to implement individualised support plans for Disabled children and young people to meet assessed needs.

The team also helps to implement personal budgets by setting up direct payments for social care, health and education.

Support is provided by 2 Support Planners based in the Disabled Children Social Work Team and a Direct Payments Advisor based at Lough Road Centre. There is also a Direct Payments Manager, Finance Monitoring Officer and Finance officer who oversee invoicing, issuing Pre-Paid Cards and ensuring that Personal Budgets and Direct payments are monitored.

Information and advice for professionals and families to manage personal budgets:

• Information about Children with Disabilities Personal Budgets

• Information and advice about Children with Disabilities Direct Payment arrangements

• Advice with recruiting and managing Direct Payment Personal Assistants and Support Workers for Children with Disabilities

• Support and advice with Personal Budget financial monitoring.