Direct payments and mental health : new directions

Direct payments are community care monies paid directly to the people who require support, so that they can make their own choices about the support they receive. Successful implementation of direct payments in mental health relies on proactive managers who are clear about the task, knowledgable and committed practitioners, and informed service users and carers who are interested in exploring the options of direct payments. This report identifies action for these three groups as well as for national policy-making