It's a matter of choice: Making direct payments work in Staffordshire

This article examines the responses and experiences of service users to evaluate one social services direct payments project. It brings together research findings from other schemes to raise important considerations for practice in the operation of direct payment schemes around the country, whilst revealing some features unique to the Staffordshire scheme. It also has some relevance for policy making. The study highlights the many challenges to direct payment schemes: increasing the take up rate, ensuring all groups are included, making all disabled people aware of the direct payment option, the difficulties in recruitment of personal assistants, enthusing and training social workers and so on. The article makes suggestions for improvements in practice to ensure greater numbers and diversity of disabled people can enjoy the many benefits of direct payments.