28.This section amends section 1(1) of the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 (“the 1996 Act”). The amendment enables local authorities to make direct payments to carers in lieu of the services which they have been assessed as needing under section 2(1) of the Act. A carer can then arrange for a provider of their choice to provide those services. All carers whom the local authority have decided to provide with carers’ services will be eligible for direct payments unless they are of a description specified in regulations.
Commentary on Sections Section 5: Direct payments