CambsDPSS

Back to Direct Payment Support Services

Through Essex Coalition of Disabled People, Cambridgeshire County Council have provided access to an independent support service for potential DP Users.

Direct Payments are offered to anyone who is eligible for a Social Care service as an alternative to home care provided by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The purpose of Direct Payments is to enable a person to purchase their own support (often by employing their own Personal Assistants), or purchase equipment, offering more choice and control over what assistance they receive and when.

CambsDPSS is supported by Cambridgeshire County Council.

CambsDPSS screens all requests for a Direct Payment. Clients are then contacted by an Independent Living Advisor (ILA) to discuss their support requirements and a home visit can be arranged. CambsDPSS can also provide support and information to family members, social workers and their colleagues.

Personal Assistance Support Services (PASS)

Payroll Services

We can make payments on your behalf to your Employees or pay your Care Agency fees

Telephone Support

Each weekday 8:30am to 4:00pm we can offer advice regarding your Direct Payment/Employer/Employee concerns etc.

Payment Facilities

We can make cheque payments by post to your employees or you can use our banking service to make payments direct into Bank Accounts.

Quarterly Returns

These can be completed on your behalf, even if you make your own payments to your staff.

Advertising

We can help you to recruit your staff by advertising through newspapers or providing postcards adverts for you to place in your local shops, we now offer the opportunity to advertise through this website.

We can also act as an intermediary, sending application packs, receiving them from the applicant, forwarding them on to the DP Users or their ILA if they are being supported with the recruitment process.

CRB Disclosures

ECDP can provide DP Users with a checking service through the Criminal Records Bureau.

Training

We can provide FREE training for you and your Personal Assistant in such areas as; Employing a PA, Moving and Handling, First Aid training etc. (more information)

Peers Support Groups (P.S.Gs)

The above group is made up of people in receipt of Direct Payments and those considering them. Group meetings are held every three months, in various locations across the county. They give you the opportunity to discuss any issues relating to the Direct Payments scheme, with other people receiving Direct Payments, in a friendly and supportive setting.

Meetings are always very informal, and you can contribute to the group sessions, about how groups are organised and run, as much or as little as you like.

Future Developments

DP News ­ – CambsDPSS hopes to develop a newsletter which will be packed full of helpful advice and up to date articles about Direct Payments in Cambridgeshire

PA Register – We also hope to introduce a register of potential PAs to further support recruitment.

For further information on CambsDPSS, please contact us.