Direct Payments in Practice Training: Law, Risk and Outcomes - England
This session provides an overview of Direct Payments practice, covering the legal and policy framework and local authority responsibilities. It explores eligibility, strengths-based assessment, and developing outcomes-focused support plans. Learners will consider how to balance risk, safeguarding, and proportionate oversight while maintaining choice and control. The session also examines effective working with carers, providers, and third-party arrangements. Through case studies, participants will reflect on common challenges, share experiences, and identify practical strategies to support safe, self-directed social care arrangements.
⭐ Learning Outcomes
• Explain and apply the legal and policy framework underpinning Direct Payments in practice
• Assess and design eligibility decisions, assessments, and outcomes focused support plans that incorporate Direct Payments
• Analyse and manage risk, safeguarding responsibilities, and proportionate oversight within Direct Payment arrangements
• Evaluate and collaborate effectively with people drawing on social care including their carers, providers, and third party arrangements to support sustainable outcomes
• Apply and critique learning from case studies to address common practice challenges and improve decision making
⭐ Programme Outline
• Legal and Policy Framework: Covers key legislation, statutory guidance, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals and local authorities in delivering Direct Payments.
• Eligibility, Assessment, and Outcomes-Focused Support Planning: Focuses on Care Act eligibility, strengths-based and person-centred assessment, and developing outcomes-focused support plans aligned to individual goals.
• Managing Risk, Safeguarding, and Proportionate Oversight: Explores balancing choice and control with duty of care, including risk management, safeguarding responsibilities, and proportionate monitoring.
• Working with Carers, Providers, and Third-Party Arrangements: Examines collaboration with carers and providers, the role of personal assistants and micro providers, and the use of managed accounts and third-party arrangements.
• Case Studies and Common Practice Challenges: Uses real-life examples to explore common issues and apply problem-solving strategies through discussion and shared learning.
Trainer Bio - Sam Wood-Ede (Direct Payment and Carer Manager at Hertfordshire County Council)
I am a registered social worker and experienced senior leader with a strong track record in delivering engaging, practice-focused training on Direct Payments, personalisation, and strengths-based approaches. I work extensively with people with lived experience, carers, partner organisations, and Adult Care Services staff, bringing real-world insight and practical application into all training sessions. My expertise is shaped by both professional and personal experience: supporting a family member receiving a Direct Payment, working as a Personal Assistant employed via Direct Payments, practising as a social worker in an adult disability team, and leading services as a Direct Payments and Carers Manager. This enables me to deliver training that is grounded, relatable, and directly applicable to frontline practice. I am an experienced Practice Educator and mentor, skilled in supporting adult learning and professional development. I hold a First-Class BSc in Social Work and a Distinction MSc in Strategic Leadership.
In my current role, I have led improvements in Direct Payment uptake and regularly design and deliver training that supports practitioners to build confidence, improve practice, and achieve meaningful, personalised, wellbeing outcomes with the people they support.
Delivered using MS Teams in an interactive virtual classroom with limited group sizes. Corporate multi booking rates available - contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk for details.
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