Direct Payment Services

What Are Direct Payments?

Direct Payments are funds provided by a Local Authority to enable children, young people and families to arrange support that best meets their individual needs. Rather than services being commissioned directly by the Local Authority, families have greater choice, flexibility and control over how support is delivered.

Direct Payments are designed to improve quality of life, promote independence, reduce social isolation and provide meaningful respite for families caring for children and young people with additional needs.

Marcia Care and Education provides highly personalised, relationship-based support for children and young people aged 5–25 years with a range of needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profiles
• ADHD
• SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs
• Trauma-related presentations
• Learning difficulties and disabilities
• Complex anxiety and school attendance difficulties

Support is tailored to the individual and may include:

• Community Access Supporting young people to access their local community, develop confidence, participate in activities, and build independence skills.
• Social and Leisure Activities Providing opportunities for young people to engage in hobbies, interests, sports, gaming communities, outdoor learning, creative activities and social experiences.
• Independence Development Supporting life skills such as travel training, budgeting, shopping, communication, decision-making and preparation for adulthood.
• Emotional Wellbeing Support Providing trusted adults who build therapeutic relationships, promote emotional regulation, reduce anxiety and support positive wellbeing.
• Transition Support Helping young people access education, training, employment, volunteering opportunities and community activities.
• Family Support Working alongside families to provide practical support, consistency and stability whilst helping reduce stress and pressure within the home.

Understanding Respite

At Marcia Care and Education, we recognise that Direct Payments are not solely about supporting the child or young person receiving the funding.

The purpose of respite is to support the wellbeing of the entire family.

Caring for a child with additional needs can be rewarding but also physically, emotionally and mentally demanding. Parents, carers and siblings all benefit when families have opportunities to rest, recharge and spend time attending to their own needs.

Effective respite may allow parents to:

• Spend time with other children in the family.
• Attend appointments or commitments.
• Maintain employment or training opportunities.
• Strengthen family relationships.
• Improve their own wellbeing and mental health.
• Take time to rest and recover from caring responsibilities.

For siblings, respite can create opportunities for one-to-one time with parents and participation in activities that may otherwise be difficult to access.

For the child or young person receiving support, respite can provide positive experiences, increased independence, confidence-building opportunities and meaningful relationships with trusted adults.

Our Approach

Marcia Care and Education takes a flexible, child-centred and family-focused approach. We understand that every family’s circumstances are unique and that successful support is built on trust, consistency and meaningful relationships.

Our aim is not simply to supervise a child or young person, but to provide enriching experiences that promote wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes while ensuring families receive the respite and support they need.

By supporting the whole family, we help create sustainable arrangements that benefit everyone involved.