Anyone who eligible for social care funding in England is able to request a personal budget from their Local Authority. The budget amount is worked out after a social worker completes an assessment and a direct payment is one way you can receive your personal budget. Having a personal budget gives you more choice and control over the support you receive to help you live independently and you should be able to choose how to spend the money, control the money, choose how or who you want to receive services from.

You can choose to receive your personal budget either as a Direct Payment or as a Local Authority arranged budget. Direct payments are paid directly into your bank account.

24hr care at home can be provided through ‘live-in care’ or through 12hr care ‘shifts’ or ‘visits’.

Live-in care is suitable for people who might need care or companionship throughout the day and is usually less costly than ‘shifts’ or ‘visits’. 12hr care shifts are suitable for people who cannot be left alone and need 1:1 care at all times throughout the day and night.

You could choose to recruit and train your own carers to provide this or you could use a specialist provider like Paragon Home Healthcare to provide this for you.