Direct payments are monetary payments made by the council to individuals with assessed eligible needs, allowing them to arrange their own care and support. Our goal is to maximise choice, control, and independence for residents by ensuring they have access to personalised and flexible support.
Since bringing the Direct Payment Support Service in-house in April 2024, we have been committed to ensuring residents receive timely information, expert advice, and hands-on assistance. Our goal is to make direct payments simple, accessible, and beneficial, giving you the confidence to manage your own care.
Our key principles include:
- Choice and flexibility – we encourage more people to explore direct payments as a flexible way to meet their care needs.
- Expert guidance – our knowledgeable team provides clear advice and ongoing support every step of the way.
- Easy processes – we aim to make direct payments straightforward, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
- Personal Assistant (PA) support – we help connect you with trained PAs, support recruitment, and guide you through your responsibilities as an employer.
Currently, 673 individuals in Tower Hamlets receive direct payments—about a quarter of those we support. We are working to grow this number so more residents can benefit from personalised care.
Market opportunities
We want to work together with providers to shape a dynamic and responsive care market that meets the evolving needs of our residents. Our key areas of focus include:
- Expanding awareness – actively promoting Direct Payments as a flexible alternative to traditional care services.
- Encouraging innovative care solutions – expecting providers to offer diverse, creative, and inclusive services for individuals with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and mental health needs.
- Growing the PA workforce – addressing the national shortage of skilled Personal Assistants (PAs) by working with providers to attract, train, and expand the local PA market, ensuring people have real choice in their support.
- Introducing personal travel budgets – providing residents with more flexible transport solutions, making it easier to access the care and activities they need.
By collaborating with providers, we aim to enhance service quality, increase accessibility, and empower individuals to take control of their care.