Direct Payment to User

In the UK, the Direct Payment to User Scheme (DPU or DPUS) is a government initiative in the field of Social Services that gives users money directly to pay for their own care, rather than the traditional route of a Local Government Authority providing care for them. The Cabinet Office Strategy Unit calls direct payments 'the most successful public policy in the area of social care. '

History of Direct Payments
The DPU Scheme was set up with the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act (1996) which came into force in April 1997 and was initially available only to a highly specific subsection of people qualifying for social care. The scope was expanded from this date, expanding to cover under 18's and carers (Carer's and Disabled Children Act (2000)). With the Health and Social Care Act (2001) which came into effect in 2003, it became unlawful to not offer direct payments to eligible people.

Direct Payments in Practice
Each person on the scheme will be given an amount of money to be managed by themselves, possibly with the aid of others such as family or an external organisation. This money can be used to purchase any service or services that meet the person's assessed needs. As the money given to the person is given in lieu of the council providing the care, the money remains public money belonging to the local government who makes the payments. Users must, therefore, account for the money every step of the way so the local government can maintain its auditing requirements.

There is no requirement for a person to receive the entirety of their care needs through direct payments, people are free to mix direct payments for some of their needs with traditional methods of care provision.

In some cases, direct payments can be used to directly employ a personal assistant. In this case, the direct payments user would be legally an employer with all the responsibilities this entails under UK law.

External Sources
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/FinanceAndPlanning/DirectPayments/fs/en DoH information about Direct Payments

Ed. Leece and Bornet (2006) Developments in Direct Payments, Bristol: The Policy Press  ISBN 9781861346537