Councillors back supporting people to access direct payments to pay for personal care

Councillors have backed supporting people to access direct payments to pay for personal care but it was disputed there is “bottleneck” to be assessed. 

It has also been confirmed 11 people have approached Monmouthshire County Council for more information on the process of applying for the support so they can directly control payments for their own social care. 

The council has retendered domiciliary care contracts in the south of Monmouthshire and some residents have complained their care provider will change. 

A motion calling for the council to commit to supporting people to access direct payments, was brought forward by independent councillor for Magor West Frances Taylor. 

She reminded Monmouthshire County Council’s May meeting the direct payments “are a right”. 

But she said qualifying for direct payments requires an assessment by a social worker and she was aware of someone who has waited seven months for a social worker assessment and claimed there is a “bottleneck” in waiting for advice. 

Green Partyn councillor Ian Chandler, who is a member of the Labour-led cabinet and responsible for social care, said they were “happy to support the motion” but said the council does comply with the legislation on direct payments. 

It currently provides direct payments to 120 people who said have to meet with an independent living assessor who will provide advice to them on becoming an employer, their rights and responsibilities. 

“There are no bottlenecks for independent living assessors,” said Cllr Chandler. 

The councillor also said 11 people have come forward seeking advice on moving to direct payments. 

Caldicot Cross Labour councillor Jackie Strong said she was always keen to promote direct payments when she worked as a social worker. She said: “I was a very passionate promoter of direct payments and probably wiped out the direct payments budget in Newport for a family some years ago.”