Direct Payment Support Service
Service available to Hammersmith & Fulham residents only
What is a Direct Payment?
Money is made available by Hammersmith and Fulham Council to individuals who are eligible for social care services. This is called a Direct Payment.
A Direct Payment gives you the opportunity to purchase your own support. The goal is to empower you by giving you more flexibility, choice and control over how services are provided to you.
What is a Direct Payment?
Set Up
If you want to receive a Direct Payment your social worker or assessor will make a referral to us. From there, we can meet at our offices or in a convenient location (including your home) to support you in setting up and managing your Direct Payment. This can include:
- Options for managing your payments and support
- Choosing a suitable agency or provider
- Paying for activities in your community
- Explaining how the Council monitors your payment
Recruiting a Personal Assistant
We can support you in hiring a personal assistant.
- We will help you write a job description outlining what kind of person you are looking for and detailing the tasks involved
- We can place adverts on job sites
- We can also assist with interviews, references, DBS checks, setting up insurance and providing contracts of employment
Advice and Information
Are you thinking about using a Direct Payment, but would like more information? We will be here to any answer any questions you may have.
We can also:
- Introduce you to other people who use Direct Payments
- Signpost other helpful organisations
- Provide ongoing support while you are using your Direct Payment
Training
We can direct you and your personal assistant (PA) to any relevant training that may be needed.
Action on Disability hosts a range of training. Information about training can be found here or Email: info@aod.org.uk or Call 0207 385 2098.
Skills for Care have funding available for individual employers. We can help you apply for this funding. For more information, click here to visit their website.
Keep an eye on our website for more information on Action on Disability training!
Upcoming Training:
List of training- in person in the third quarter of 2025/2026
1. Makaton Awareness Training
Thursday, 9 October 2025. 12:00 – 2:00 pm, AoD Centre of Independent Living
Come join us at Action on Disability for a fun and informative session on Makaton. Learn how to communicate using signs and symbols to support individuals with communication difficulties. This in-person event is perfect for parents and carers who are interested in enhancing their communication skills. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge and make a
difference!
Enrolment: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/makaton-awareness-training-tickets-1711271110959?aff=oddtdtcreator
2. Emergency First Aid at Work:
Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 9:30am – 16:30 pm, AoD Centre of Independent
Living
The Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day) course is designed to equip participants with essential life-saving skills and knowledge to handle workplace emergencies. This one-day program covers key topics such as assessing incidents, performing CPR, using an AED, managing choking, handling minor injuries, and addressing major illnesses and injuries. Ideal for individuals designated as emergency first aiders in small to medium-sized workplaces, this course ensures compliance with health and safety regulations while fostering a safer work environment. Upon successful completion, participants receive a Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work certificate, valid for three years.
Setting: Trainer-led, in person
Completion Evidence: Certificate upon completion.
Enrolment: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/emergency-first-aid-at-work-tickets-1711374600499?aff=oddtdtcreator
Direct Payment Peer Support Group
The Peer Support Group is facilitated and attended by people who receive a direct payment in Hammersmith and Fulham. They support each other in lots of ways. The meetings give you a chance to meet other DP recipients, raise concerns, share ideas and listen to speakers who are invited along to talk on different topics.
The group meet regularly at AoD’s offices, Centre for Independent Living, Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London, SW6 7BF. The group send information shared at each meeting to everyone who has signed up. This means that people who can’t attend don’t miss out!
Meetings are accessed in person at our offices or via Zoom. Please contact us for the meeting link, we can also send you some guidance on how to use the platform.
Contact:
Please send an email to
Or a text or WhatsApp message to 078 2499 0072
For us to add you into our mailing list.
Factsheets
We have created some useful factsheets, which are available in Easyread formats on request. These factsheets were co-produced with the Direct Payment Peer Support Group. We will continue to create more factsheets to help you understand Direct Payments and your employer responsibilities, so keep checking the website for updates. Click on the buttons below to download the factsheets.
