Direct Payments are a method of funding for community care services which Clubhouse members can choose in order to take control and responsibility for their own care needs.
Direct Payments will also help Clubhouse to give more and better support to members.
To do so, members need to request Direct Payments with their Care Co-ordinators who will then arrange the necessary paperwork with their Team Managers. For new membership applications, Care Co-ordinators should already be considering the suitability of Direct Payments for each individual.
Members will also need to open a new bank account in order to keep the Direct Payments separate from their personal finances. Clubhouse can help members to set up and manage their new account and will invoice members individually for payments.
Once the Direct Payments have been authorised, members will receive payments directly from the Council in order to purchase care services - in this case, their membership places at Enfield Clubhouse.
Although Direct Payments have been around for a few years, it is still a relatively new way of funding care services for mental health service users in Enfield.
It is likely that in future, most people will purchase their care in this way.
How funding works without Direct Payments
Most of our members are referred by their Care Co-ordinators at the Community Mental Health Teams, while a few self-refer.
Members who have a Care Co-ordinator are usually funded by Enfield Council if they are on the Enhanced CPA (Care Programme Approach) plan.
If not, then the grant we receive from the Big Lottery Fund can cover the cost of the Clubhouse place.
Either way, the financial side of things is taken care of by the Clubhouse, so members don't have to worry about it!
Two reasons to move on to Direct Payments
If funding is already in place, then why should anyone consider moving on to Direct payments?
Well, places at Clubhouse are limited as we only have enough funding to open two days a week with two staff.
The advantages of Direct Payments are that they bring in extra income to Clubhouse and this can be used to develop our community support and capacity.
First, some members are now going out into the community and working in paid and voluntary jobs, or going to college or sampling some of the many leisure opportunities out there in Enfield with direct one to one support from Clubhouse staff.
Second, the additional money can be used to employ more staff and/or to open for a third day.
So, Direct Payments will enable Clubhouse to provide increased one to one support in the community and also additional Clubhouse days and staff.
If you have any questions about using Direct Payments to fund Clubhouse membership places, please contact David Marsden on 020 8360 6660.
More information about the Direct Payments Scheme in Enfield can be found on the Council's website.
For support and expert advice about how to use Direct Payments, please visit Enfield Disability Action's website.
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