Direct Payments support area
Help with Direct Payments, including managing payments, employing personal assistants and finding guidance and forms.
On this page
- What Direct Payments are
- Return unused Direct Payment money
- Employing a personal assistant
- Direct Payments guidance and forms
- Get help with Direct Payments or employing a personal assistant
What Direct Payments are
If you are eligible for care and support, you may be able to receive Direct Payments from the council.
Direct Payments are money paid to you so you can arrange some or all of your own care and support. They give you more choice and control over how your needs are met.
You can use Direct Payments to:
Return unused Direct Payment money
If the council asks you to return unused Direct Payment money, for example, after an audit or when a Direct Payment has stopped, you can do this securely online.
Returning money online is the quickest way and helps avoid delays caused by cheques or manual processing.
You, or a trusted friend or family member, can return the money on your behalf.
You will need:
- your Direct Payment bank card
- the reference number from the letter or email from the Direct Payments Team
- the amount to return
Return unused Direct Payment money online
Employing a personal assistant
A personal assistant (PA) helps with daily tasks and personal care to support independent living. If you use Direct Payments to employ a PA, you take on legal and financial responsibilities as an employer.
Understanding employing a PA
- Employing a Personal Assistant factsheet - employing a PA with Direct Payments
- Understanding the employment status of PAs (Skills for Care) [PDF] - explains PA employment status and responsibilities
- Is your PA employed or self‑employed factsheet - checking employment status
- My PA says they are self‑employed [PDF] - what self-employed status means
Finding and recruiting a PA
- Employing personal assistants toolkit (Skills for Care) - templates and guidance for recruiting, training and managing PAs
- How to find and recruit a PA factsheet- recruiting PAs using Notts Help Yourself
- Personal Assistants at Home Network factsheet - network benefits
Managing your responsibilities as an employer
- Individual employer privacy notice template [Word] - template for handling a PA’s personal information
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for personal assistants form - request a DBS check
Direct Payments guidance and forms
Find guidance and forms to manage your Direct Payments.
Understanding Direct Payments
- Direct Payment explained factsheet - how DPs work
- Direct Payment voluntary top‑up factsheet - why a top-up may be needed
Managing your Direct Payment
- Direct Payment agreement form [Word] - set up your DP and confirm responsibilities
- Direct Payment top‑up agreement form [Word] - agree to pay extra costs if chosen care provider charges more than the council rate
- Direct Payment pre‑paid debit cards factsheet - using the DP debit card
- Direct Payment auditing factsheet - how DPs are audited
Additional support and situations
- Selecting a Direct Payments Support Service factsheet - choosing and using support services
- Direct Payments and living in a care home factsheet - using DPs for care home costs
- Direct Payment checklist for agency support [PDF] – ensure safe, suitable home care
- Direct Payments calendar 2025–2026 [PDF] – key dates for payments and reporting
Policy and other guidance
- Direct Payments Policy – council rules for providing and managing DPs
- Direct Payments Privacy Notice [PDF] – how the council uses your data
Get help with Direct Payments or employing a personal assistant
Adult Care Financial Services can help you with Direct Payment audits, pre‑paid cards, care charges and employer responsibilities.
Auditing Direct Payments (Auditing Team)
Call 0115 977 5760, option 4, then option 1
Email: aschppdirectpaymentsauditing@nottscc.gov.uk
Using pre-paid cards (Direct Payments Team)
Call 0115 977 5760, option 4, then option 2
Email: acfs.directpayments@nottscc.gov.uk
Financial assessments and contributions (Community Assessments Team)
Call 0115 977 5760, option 2
Email: acfs.community-assessments@nottscc.gov.uk
Employer support for personal assistants
Includes employing personal assistants and DBS checks.
Call 0115 804 4945
Email: DPEnquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
General enquiries
Email: DPEnquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
