Bexley has seen a significant increase in the uptake of direct payments for adult social care services, with figures rising to 23.3% in 2024/25. This figure now exceeds the peer group average and is nearing the London average, marking a positive trend following a 2022-2023 subgroup review.
This positive trend was highlighted at a recent Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, where Ms. Deborah Travers, Associate Director for Adult Social Care, presented an update on the progress made. Following recommendations from the subgroup review, Bexley implemented several initiatives to address historically lower uptake. These included co-producing a list of acceptable expenditures for direct payments, launching the Your Life, Your Choice Care Finder
website and Connected Bexley
directory, and developing a Personal Assistant register. A dedicated Direct Payment Support Service (DPSS) has also been commissioned from Bexley Voluntary Service Council and its partners, which was in the mobilization stage with a go-live date aimed for June 2026. These actions have contributed to the ASCOF 3D (2a) outturn increasing from 18.1% in October 2022 to the current 23.3% in 2024/25.
Direct payments offer individuals greater choice and control over how their care needs are met. The Your Life, Your Choice Care Finder
website, launched in 2024, continues to expand its offerings, while Connected Bexley,
the BVSC's community directory, provides an online resource for community support across the borough. These platforms, along with the developing Personal Assistant Register, help individuals understand and access direct payment options. The DPSS is also working to raise awareness through a proactive website engaging the public and those accessing social care.
Councillor Cafer Munur expressed caution regarding councils becoming over enthusiastic
about promoting direct payments due to financial pressures, potential increased monitoring costs, and the need to ensure value for money. He stressed that direct payments are not suitable for everyone and sought assurance that a safety net is in place for those who do not wish to manage their own care. Councillor Christine Catterall echoed concerns about value for money and spend aggregation.
Ms. Travers explained that the amount of direct payment is set by the market rate and that the council uses its own commissioned services to sense-check
this. She assured the committee that the focus is on ensuring direct payments meet individual needs and that the system is designed to be flexible. Mechanisms are in place to support individuals, including the DPSS, co-produced guidance on acceptable expenditures, and the aforementioned online resources. Front-line staff and partners receive training to confidently explain direct payments and promote a culture change where they are discussed at every social care package discussion. While direct monitoring of fund usage is not always necessary as long as needs are met and funds are not misused, the system is designed to be flexible and meet individual needs.
For more information on the committee meeting, please refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.
