If BCP Council has offered you a carer’s personal budget, you might be thinking about taking it as a direct payment.

At first, this might sound like a lot to manage—but many carers find it’s easier than they expected. A direct payment gives you more choice and control over how you get support.

After your carer’s assessment under the Care Act 2014, you can choose to have your personal budget paid directly to you. This is called a direct payment.

You can use it to buy goods or services that help you meet the outcomes in your carer’s support plan. Instead of BCP Council arranging support for you, you choose what works best for you—and pay for it using your direct payment.

The direct payments team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.

Not at all. Many carers tell us they were worried at first, but found it straightforward once they got started.

You can:

You can get a direct payment if:

You can ask for a carer’s assessment by contacting the Adult Social Care Contact Centre. You can also speak to your GP, health visitor, district nurse, community mental health nurse, or BCP Carer Support. They can refer you.

If you already get support arranged by BCP Council and want to switch to a direct payment, contact the Adult Social Care Contact Centre or your social care practitioner.

You can use your direct payment to buy goods or services that help you meet the outcomes in your carer support plan. Think about what would support you best in your caring role - the more creative the better!

You're not able to use it for:

If you’re not sure, the direct payments team can talk it through with you.

You can choose:

The online card account can also be used for for telephone banking too—this is helpful if you don’t have internet access or prefer to manage your payments by phone.

Payments start once you’ve signed your carer’s support plan and direct payment agreement.

Your direct payment won’t affect any benefits you get, like Carer’s Allowance.

If you want to buy something more expensive than your direct payment covers, you can top it up with your own money.

This is BCP Council’s preferred way to pay direct payments. It helps the direct payments team support you better, as they can view your payment history. But you can choose to have the money paid into your own account if you prefer.

Once your payment is approved, BCP Council will send you:

You will need to return your signed agreement along side photo ID.

After you return the signed agreement, will open your online card account. You’ll get your card in 7–10 working days. You can use it like a normal bank card to pay for goods and services.

You can pay goods or services by:

You can check your balance and download statements online or at any Visa cash machine. You can also upload invoices and receipts on to the online banking portal.

You can also nominate someone to help manage your account. They’ll need to sign the agreement too. If you don’t have internet access, you can use telephone banking.

BCP Council checks that your direct payment is used in line with your carer support plan. You don’t need to send us statements, but you must keep receipts and invoices for two years (or for the life of any equipment you buy).

If you spend money on things that don't that don’t meet your support plan outcomes, or don’t spend it at all, you will need to return it.

A carer’s direct payment lasts for one year. After that, BCP Council will reassess your needs to make sure the support is still right for you.

If your circumstances change in the meantime, you can contact Adult Social Care.

You or BCP Council can end the payment at any time by giving four weeks’ notice in writing. Any money left in your account must be returned after all invoices and outstanding balances have been paid.

You’re not expected to figure everything out on your own. BCP Council’s direct payments team is here to support you—whether you’re just getting started or have questions along the way.

They can help you:

If anything feels unclear or you’re unsure what to do next, just get in touch. They are here to make things easier for you.