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Direct payments for social care services - Transition Guide

A direct payment is a cash payment made to a disabled child or adult, or their family member.  This can be used to pay for things set out in your support plan. If you are able to get support from social care you can choose to have direct payments.  This is so you or your parent/carer can arrange services yourself.  This is instead of Sheffield City Council arranging services for you.

They give you choice and control over the support you get and how your social care needs are met.

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Who can get a direct payment?

Most people who are able to get support from social care can choose to have direct payments. That means:

  • People aged 16 or over who have been assessed as being able to get support
  • Parents of disabled children who have been assessed as being able to get support
  • Carers with an agreed assessment of need who are able to get direct carer support

Local authorities have a duty to offer direct payments to people who may not have the mental capacity to agree to them. There must be a suitable person who agrees to be responsible for arranging the support and direct payment.  This is on behalf of the person who the payment is for.

What can you use them for?

Direct payments can be spent on things that are for agreed outcomes and social care needs.  This includes:

  • personal care
  • short breaks
  • respite and daytime activities
  • minor home adaptations
  • specialist equipment.

People often use them to:

  • employ their own support staff (personal assistants). You can find out more about employing a personal assistant (PA) by clicking here.
  • pay for mobility or household equipment

You and your parent/carer can decide what best meets your needs. Staff will discuss this with you and about what your needs are in your support plan.

What they can't be used for

Direct payments must not be used to pay for:

  • support that would be provided by other organisations.  For example, NHS services.
  • day to day living expenses.  Things like shopping or bills.

How to request a direct payment

A request for a direct payment can be made by:

  • you/young people
  • families
  • professionals working with you

If you are under the age of 18, contact the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub on 0114 273 4855. Ask for an assessment from children’s social care.

If you are over 18, contact First Contact on 0114 273 4908. Ask for an assessment from adult’s social care.

The assessment will look at if you have any unmet needs that social care are required to meet. You can then ask to receive a direct payment. A plan will be made of agreed outcomes and how the money can be used to achieve these. If you already have a social worker, then you can ask them about getting a direct payment.

If you have any questions

If you have any questions about:

  • the assessment
  • changing from a short break service to a direct payment.

Please speak to your social worker or SNIPs.

You can call or e-mail SNIPs on:

You can find out more on the Sheffield City Council website.  Click on the logo below.

Picture in balck and white of Sheffield. Text is in white font and says Sheffield City Council

Useful contacts

Sheffield City Council have a team called the Direct Payment Support Service (DPSS).  They can give direct payment support to people who live in Sheffield. They help those who get a direct payment to get the most out of this money and to achieve their goals.

The DPSS can support families to be able to manage their Direct Payment themselves. 

The Direct Payment Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

You can call or e-mail them on:

They have more information on the Council website.

Last updated:
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In this section

  1. Introduction to the Transition Guide
  2. Preparing for Adulthood
  3. Sheffield's Local Offer
  4. What happens and when - Early Years (age 0-4)
  5. What happens and when - Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (age 5-7)
  6. What happens and when - Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 (age 7-11)
  7. What happens and when - Year 7 and Year 8 (age 11-13)
  8. What happens and when - Year 9 (age 13-14)
  9. What happens and when - Year 10 (age 14-15)
  10. What happens and when - Year 11 (Age 15-16)
  11. What happens and when - Year 12 (age 16-17)
  12. What happens and when - Years 13 and 14 (Age 17-19)
  13. What happens and when - Age 19-25
  14. Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans - Transition Guide
  15. Education, Employment and Training - GCSEs and Help in Exams - Transition Guide
  16. Post 16 Education - Transition Guide
  17. A Guide to Qualifications at 16+ - Transition Guide
  18. Apprenticeships and Supported Internships - Transition Guide
  19. Things to do when not in college - Transition Guide
  20. University and Higher Education - Transition Guide
  21. Careers Advice - Transition Guide
  22. 1) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  23. 2) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  24. 3) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  25. Leisure - Transition Guide
  26. SEN Transport - Transition Guide
  27. Independent Travel Training
  28. Other Travel Support and useful Apps - Transition Guide
  29. Social Care Services - Transition Guide
  30. Moving from Children’s to Adult Social Care Services - Transition Guide
  31. Paying for adult social care - Transition Guide
  32. Getting a carer’s assessment for your parent/carer - Transition Guide
  33. Short Break Services - Transition Guide
  34. Direct payments for social care services - Transition Guide
  35. Housing - Transition Guide
  36. Decision making and mental capacity - Transition Guide
  37. Transitioning from Children’s Health to Adult Health Services - Transition Guide
  38. Annual Health Checks for people with a learning disability - Transition Guide
  39. Important Local NHS Health Services - Transition Guide
  40. Mental Health Services - Transition Guide
  41. 1) Finance and Benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Direct Payments and Appointeeship - Transition Guide
  42. 2) Finance and Benefits: Universal Credit - Transition Guide
  43. 3) Finance and Benefits: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund - Transition Guide
  44. 4) Finance and Benefits: Banking, Wills and Trusts and Child Benefit - Transition Guide
  45. Further help and support - Transition guide