Tendering For Care

It has been said that elderly people, and other vulnerable groups could find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they spend their Direct Payments. In the name of customer choice, a number of County Councils gives this money in the form of cash grants out of its social services budget - under the Direct Payments Scheme. But at a meeting this week of Bedfordshire County Council, Councillors pointed out that this means that the recipients of Direct Payments would technically be the employers of their carers and would have to abide by employment law.

This is clearly an area which requires further investigation. If any readers have comments, or can throw some light on this situation we would be pleased to hear from them and to publish further information on this website.