Direct Payments Support Service
- Location: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Solihull - Head Office's catchment area.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Central Library
Homer Road
SOLIHULL
West Midlands
B91 3RG
United Kingdom
Email: directpayments@ageuksolihull.org.uk
Telephone: 0121 709 7591
Direct Payments are payments made directly to individuals who request to receive one to meet some or all of their eligible care and support needs. Carers may also be eligible for direct payments. A direct payment is not a benefit and does not affect any benefits that you receive.
What Are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments allow you to receive funding to hire a Personal Assistant (PA) or other support services, giving you more control over your care.
You receive funding from social services, you choose to become an employer, and you hire and pay a PA directly, managing their schedule and tasks.
- More choice and control of your care package
- You can choose who works for you, whether that’s a Personal Assistant that you employ or a care agency, or a mixture of providers that suit your individual needs
- You can arrange times with them to suit you
- You have more say in what tasks they do
- It's more flexible as you can move your hours if necessary
- You can pick and choose services which best suit your needs
- The Direct Payments Team are here to help you to understand how a personal budget works, recruit Personal Assistants and support you in your role as an employer. We can also help you to find a suitable Care Agency.
What is a PA?
A Personal Assistant (PA) helps adults or children with disabilities, long-term conditions, or other support needs to live independently and well. Tasks may include:
- Household tasks (cleaning, cooking, shopping)
- Social support (companionship, attending appointments, activities)
- Personal care (washing, dressing, manual handling, medication)
More Information
The Age UK Solihull Direct Payments Information Pack explains in a simple format how Direct Payments work.
Direct Payments Information Pack
Find a PA with our PA Register
Our PA Register makes it easy to find a trusted PA. Simply register as an employer, contact your social worker, and then connect, interview, and hire.
Benefits of using the PA Register include:
- Access to PAs – all listed PAs will provide references.
- Flexible hiring options – find full-time, part-time, or relief cover PAs.
- Simple and secure – our PA team will help you to match with PAs based on your needs.
- Support available – guidance on hiring, contracts, insurance and direct payments.
Call us on 0121 709 7591 or email paregister@ageuksolihull.org.uk for more information.
PA Register Leaflet for Employers
Information for PAs
Click below for information about joining our PA Register as a PA.
Further Information
If you are disabled, care for someone else, or would like more information, click below for Solihull Council's Direct Payments page.
Solihull Council Direct Payments page
Personal Care Budgets Information
Find out more by visiting Age UK's Personal Budgets page