Using direct payments for care cost 'top ups' factsheet
Although Plymouth City Council pays certain rates to cover costs of care, if someone receiving a direct payment selects a provider with higher hourly rates, they will need to cover the difference through a top-up payment. This applies unless a higher hourly rate has been explicitly agreed upon during their needs assessment and support planning process. If no such agreement is in place, the top-up payment will be required.
This 'top up' is over and above any personal contribution they have been assessed as being able to pay.
Personal Assistant rates
Plymouth City Council pays the following rates for personal assistants:
- Daytime Hours: National Minimum Wage
- Sleeping Night Rate (9 hours): National Minimum Wage
- Waking Night Rate (9 hours): National Minimum Wage
The direct payment recipient can choose to pay a higher hourly rate, but they would need to 'top up' their direct payment account to cover this extra cost.
Agency rates
Plymouth City Council pays the following rates for agency hours:
Supported Living
- Daytime Hours: £20.55 per hour
- Sleeping Night Rate (9 hours): £102.96 per night
- Waking Night Rate (9 hours): £184.95 per night
Domiciliary Care
- Daytime Hours: £23.15 per hour
- Sleeping Night Rate (9 hours): £148.86 per night
- Waking Night Rate (9 hours): £198.45 per night
Should the direct payment recipient choose to go with an agency that charges more than this per hour, the direct payment recipient is expected to 'top up' their direct payment account to cover this extra cost.
Day Opportunities
Plymouth City Council pays the following rate for day opportunities:
- Full day: £58.37 per day
- Half day: £29.19 per half day
Should the direct payment recipient choose to go with an agency that charges more than this per hour, the direct payment recipient is expected to 'top up' their direct payment account to cover this extra cost.
Who can help me?
Plymouth City Council contracts the Enham Trust to provide a local support service and can help with advertising and recruiting staff.
Additional factsheets
Plymouth City Council has produced the following four factsheets:
More information
- Guide for personal assistants (PDF) [1MB]
- Becoming an employer using Direct Payments (PDF) [2MB]
- Enham Trust Care Certificate (PDF) [83KB]
Continue reading
- Paying for your care and finances
- Personal budgets
- Direct payments for care and support
- Prepaid cards
- How to pay your care invoice
- Independent financial advice on paying for care
- Deferred payments for care home costs
- Care home top-up fees
- Employing a Personal Assistant
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