07/06/04 - Direct Payments Promotion Team leads the way

Cumbria's Direct Payments Promotion Team recently travelled to Hartlepool to deliver the first of 12 planned presentations helping other councils to increase take up of Direct Payments. The promotion programme, funded by a Government grant, came after Cumbria was recognised for it's excellent record on Direct Payment use.   

The promotion work is a joint venture between Cumbria Direct Payments Advice and Information Service and Cumbria County Council’s Social Services directorate. The promotion team includes Direct Payment users and is led by Fred Wilenius of the Disability Association Carlisle and Eden (DACE)   

Direct payments enable people with a disability receiving community care services to control their own care provision. A direct cash payment enables people to choose how their care needs are met and by whom, giving more independence and choice. The Government's grant for promotion work recognises Cumbria's development of an effective and successful scheme others can learn from.    

County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services says, 

"Direct payments give people with disabilities more independence and choice. The Direct Payments scheme in Cumbria has been very successful and I am delighted that our team is now on the road promoting good practice in this way."   

The County’s Direct Payments Advice and Information service is based on four independent service advisers, giving advice, information and support about the Direct Payments scheme. The independent advisers enable people to make informed decisions about whether Direct Payments are right for them and can then help with support and information. The service won a national award in November 2001 and in April this year the Government announced its intention of ensuring that all local councils offer direct payments as an alternative to existing service provision. This directive led to a search for direct payments good practice and Cumbria was recognised as being at the leading edge of direct payment provision.    

Fred Wilenius, Direct Payments Project Manager for Cumbria says,    

"The Direct Payments scheme's success is based on the involvement of service users from the start. The project has remained user focused and developed the service to meet people’s specific needs. We currently have around 200 people using Direct Payments, one of the highest numbers in the country." 

Anyone interested in knowing more about the Advice and Information service or the Direct Payments scheme itself can contact Fred Wilenius, Project Manager on 0845 124 9304.