Option 1 – Direct Payment

This is money that is paid directly to you so that you can direct your own support. Support you need to meet your agreed outcomes. You can use this payment to choose and control your support, you can directly employ a Personal Assistant (become the employer) or buy services directly from a provider of your choice.

Benefit of Option 1

Option 1 will give you the most control as the money is paid directly to you. You will need to open a new bank account into which your support budget is paid and all services you purchase will be paid from this new account. SPAEN can help you as much or as little as you would like.
 
 
Option 2 – Independent Service Fund

A support budget is money for support that could come from several places. You can choose your own support but someone else will arrange that support and manage the money on your behalf.

Benefit of Option 2

Option 2 gives you slightly less control as your support budget will be paid into a bank account which may not necessarily be in your name.  You would still make all the decisions but we would in partnership with you make any purchases on your behalf and maintain your banking records.
 
 
Option 3 – The person chooses to allow the council to arrange and determine their services. 

The local authority will commission a service on your behalf. The local authority will have responsibility for identifying and commissioning (or providing appropriate support and making payment of the relevant amount to the identified provider).

Benefit of Option 3

Option 3 gives you the least control; this is where your local government manages your support budget and organises your care. You can still make choices about agencies who provide support within the boundaries of the Local Authority framework.
 
 
Option 4 – The person can choose a mix of these options for different types of support - A pick and mix of Options 1 to 3

Benefit of Option 4

Option Four is a mixture of all the above three; you may wish to choose this option if you are receiving more than one form of care.