If you’re not sure where to start on getting a direct payment from social services, the first step is to get an assessment of your needs. This could be either by a community care assessment, an assessment for a child under the Children Act or by your own carer’s assessment.

You’ll find more information on the various processes involved at http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/practicalsupport/Pages/Directpayments.aspx