{"id":3076,"date":"2024-03-23T16:42:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-23T16:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/?post_type=article&#038;p=3076"},"modified":"2025-03-25T09:39:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T09:39:33","slug":"option-1","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/option-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Option 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-cxhtz4tg7q4\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-cxhtz4tg7q4\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/cxHTz4tG7Q4?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/cxHTz4tG7Q4?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/handbook.scot\\\/sds-handbook\\\/article\\\/option-1\\\/#arve-youtube-cxhtz4tg7q4\",\"type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/cxHTz4tG7Q4?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to arranging and managing your social care support, you can decide how much control and responsibility you want to have.<\/p>\n<p>There are four options, designed to give you different levels of control and responsibility. You choose which option is best for you.<\/p>\n<p>This article is about Option 1, also known as a Direct Payment.<\/p>\n<p>You can find out more about the other options here:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/option-2\/\">Option 2<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/option-3\/\">Option 3<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/option-4\/\">Option 4<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option 1, also known as Direct Payment<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is where your council pays an agreed amount of money directly to you, and you purchase support and other things that will help you meet your outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your outcomes are the things you have agreed with your social worker that are important to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option 1 is the Option with most control and flexibility. It is also the option where you have most responsibility, and where you handle the money yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-yv4vzwhmdnq\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-yv4vzwhmdnq\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Yv4VzWHMdnQ?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Yv4VzWHMdnQ?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/handbook.scot\\\/sds-handbook\\\/article\\\/option-1\\\/#arve-youtube-yv4vzwhmdnq\",\"type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/Yv4VzWHMdnQ?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>How does it work?<\/h2>\n<p>As part of creating a support plan, you agree with your social worker the things you want support to help you with, and they will let you know how much budget the council will give you as a Direct Payment to pay for this support.<\/p>\n<p>You will be asked to sign a Direct Payment Agreement which is an agreement between you and the council. This says that you agree to manage the Direct Payment according to the council\u2019s rules.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The council may pay the money into a separate bank account or onto a pre-paid card scheme, like Allpay. You can choose how you want to receive the money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can ask for the money to be paid in instalments, which means bit by bit, or in a lump sum. Your council should be able to explain to you how the payment will be made and when.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can use a Direct Payment in any way, if it will provide the support you have agreed with your social worker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This could include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">employing Personal Assistants to support you<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">buying services from a social care support agency<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">buying services from a registered support provider<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">buying services from the council<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">paying for other services (for example an exercise class), and breaks<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\">buying items that will help you meet your agreed outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is up to you to find the services, get in contact with them and agree the arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important that the services or support you buy will help you meet your personal outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Personal Outcomes are things that are important to you that you have agreed with your social worker, and that you need support to help you achieve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is this option right for me?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you choose Option 1, you will have lots of responsibilities, but there is also help available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Part of your responsibility is to show the council that you are using the money to meet your outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You will need to keep records of what the money has been spent on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are employing Personal Assistants, you should also show that you are being a good employer and meeting the legal responsibilities of being an employer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can ask for your Direct Payment to be paid to and managed by someone else (a third party). In this case you should still have control, but you will not handle the money itself. The council will check that the third party understands their responsibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you want to use a Direct Payment for some parts of your support, but not all of it, you can explore this by choosing Option 4 \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">read more about this option here<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Independent Support Organisations and Carers\u2019 Centres (if you are an unpaid carer) can help you learn more about this option and think about if it\u2019s right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the <a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\">Find Help<\/a> <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Carers\u2019 Centre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carersnet.org\/what-support-can-i-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who can use this Option?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most people who are eligible for formal social care support through their council should be able to choose Option 1.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This includes adults, children and young people (up to the age of 16, a nominated adult manages the money), and people with any type of impairment or support need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The law says the council <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">must<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> offer you the opportunity to use Option 1, unless:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"38\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your safety would be put at risk by <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">being given money directly<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"38\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you need long term residential care or nursing care<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"38\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you have had Option 1 in the past and it had to be stopped for some reason.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option 1 must also be offered to unpaid carers who are eligible for support in their own right.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Where can I get help if I choose this Option?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Independent Support Organisations and Carers\u2019 Centres (if you are an unpaid carer) can help you learn more about this option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some Independent Support Organisations can also help you manage the money, especially if you are going to employ people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find your local Independent Support Organisation using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find Help<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find your local Carers\u2019 Centre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carersnet.org\/what-support-can-i-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are considering employing Personal Assistants (PAs), you can find out more about what this involves, and practical advice on dealing with different parts of the process, in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/the-pa-employer-handbook\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PA Employer Handbook<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Next steps<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Take a look at the <strong>Case study<\/strong> section below to find out more about how Option 1 works and how people have used this option to manage their social care support.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out more about Option 1, also known as a Direct Payment. This is the option that gives you the most control, flexibility and responsibility when it comes to your social care support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3076","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3524,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3076\/revisions\/3524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}