Short Breaks

Direct Payments allow parents/carers to arrange care and services themselves, instead of receiving them directly from the Local Authority.

A direct payment is the sum of money that Coventry City Council will pay directly to you, so you can pay for your child's assessed care and/or support, instead of the Council arranging it for you.  

The money that you are given is to be used for the following reasons only:  

• To pay an agency or PA for the support they provide (type of support will be agreed at short breaks panel) 
• To only pay for the hours of support agreed at short breaks panel.
• To pay for a DBS for the PA before the support starts, these will be required to be renewed every 3 years (a new DBS is required even if they have one with another employer) 
• To pay for employee liability and HMRC tax/NI costs (this can be supported by using Penderel's payroll) 

The Short Breaks Panel approves Direct Payments for families who seek to employ a Personal Assistant (PA), or use the Direct Payment to fund a suitable agency/provider who provide Short Breaks. The Panel meets monthly and is chaired by the Operational Lead for the Children's Disability Team

What if my child does not have a professional involved with the family?

If a child or young person does not have a professional worker, the school can complete an assessment and request to attend the Short Breaks Panel. A parent/carer can also refer their child or young person via the MASH for an assessment to consider support needs.

See our Direct Payments website to find out more information.