How Home Care Works in Northern Ireland

How Care Is Paid For

Home care in Northern Ireland is generally arranged in one of two ways: (1) Private Funding and (2) Trust Funding and Direct Payment.​

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Private Funding​

You can arrange and pay for care directly with Unique Home Care NI. This gives you flexibility over the type of support you receive, how often carers visit, and when care starts. Private care can be arranged quickly and can include personal care, companionship, respite care, overnight care, day care at home and specialist care.

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Trust Funding and Direct Payments​

If you or your loved one has been assessed by a local Health and Social Care Trust as needing social care support, you may be eligible for Direct Payments. This gives you more control over how your care is arranged and allows you to choose a care provider that suits your needs.

Some families use Direct Payments to cover part of their care package and choose to privately fund additional visits or services.

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What Are Direct Payments?

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Direct Payments are funds provided by your local Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. They allow eligible people to arrange their own care and support, rather than having services arranged directly by the Trust.

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If your care needs assessment confirms that you need social care support, you may be able to use Direct Payments to choose a home care provider, arrange suitable visit times and build a care package around your daily routine.

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Direct Payments can give you more choice and control over who supports you, when care is delivered and how your care needs are met at home.

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Who Can Get Direct Payments in Northern Ireland?

You may be able to get Direct Payments in Northern Ireland if your local Health and Social Care Trust has assessed you as needing social care support.

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Direct Payments may be available to:​

• Disabled people aged 16 or over.

• Older people who need support to remain safe and independent at home.

• People living with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health conditions.

• Carers aged 16 or over.

• Parents or guardians with parental responsibility for a disabled child.

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Eligibility is assessed individually. Your local Health and Social Care Trust will decide whether Direct Payments are appropriate and how much funding may be available for your assessed care needs.

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How Do I Apply for Direct Payments?

Applying for Direct Payments does not need to feel complicated. Your local Health and Social Care Trust will guide you through the process.

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Step 1: Ask for an Assessment​

If you already receive support from social services, speak to your social worker and ask about Direct Payments.

If you do not currently receive support, contact your local Health and Social Care Trust and ask for a care needs assessment. A social worker will talk with you about your situation, the help you need at home and whether Direct Payments may be suitable.​

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Step 2: Discuss Your Choices​

During the assessment, your social worker will explain the support available to you. This includes whether you can receive Direct Payments instead of having care arranged directly by the Trust.

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You need to be able to agree to receiving Direct Payments and understand how they will be used. You can still receive help from a family member, friend or authorised person with the day-to-day administration.

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Step 3: Receive Your Decision​

If your application is approved, the Trust will confirm the care needs they have agreed to support and the amount of funding you will receive.

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Step 4: Arrange Your Care​

Once your Direct Payment is in place, you can choose how to arrange your support. This may include choosing a home care provider such as Unique Home Care NI, agreeing suitable visit times and creating a care package that works around your daily life.

If you need more care than the Direct Payment covers, you may be able to add privately funded visits or services.

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What Can Direct Payments Be Used For?

Direct Payments may be used to arrange care and support that meets the needs agreed in your care plan.

They can be used for:

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• Home care visits from a provider of your choice.

• Personal care, companionship and respite support.

• Support with daily living and maintaining independence at home.

• Equipment or services that meet agreed care needs.

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What Can Direct Payments Not Be Used For?​

1. Direct Payments cannot normally be used to pay for permanent residential or nursing home accommodation.​

2. They also cannot normally be used to employ a close family member who lives in the same household, unless your local Trust agrees there are exceptional circumstances.​

3. Direct Payments must be used for the needs agreed in your care plan.

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Can I Top Up My Direct Payment With Private Care?​

Yes. You may be able to pay privately for additional home care if your Direct Payment does not cover all the support you would like.

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For example, you may use Direct Payments for agreed personal care visits and privately fund extra companionship, overnight care, respite care or additional visits for greater flexibility and reassurance.

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A private top-up does not replace the funding agreed by your Trust. It allows you to add care or services beyond the hours and support included in your Direct Payment.

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Do I Need to Manage Direct Payments Myself?

You do not have to manage every part of a Direct Payment alone. You must be able to agree to receiving Direct Payments, but you can receive practical support with day-to-day administration.

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A family member, trusted representative, payroll provider or independent support organisation may be able to help with record-keeping, employing personal assistants, paying invoices and providing information requested by the Trust.

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Your local Health and Social Care Trust can explain what support is available and what records you may need to keep.

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Can Unique Home Care NI Help With Direct Payments?

Yes. Unique Home Care NI can help you understand how Direct Payments may work alongside your home care arrangements.

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We can discuss the support you need, explain the types of home care available, help you plan a suitable care schedule and provide a clear outline of the care package you would like to arrange.

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We cannot make the funding decision for your Trust, but we can help you prepare for a conversation with your social worker and explain how privately funded care can complement a Direct Payment.

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Important Information About Direct Payments

Direct Payment eligibility, funding levels and care arrangements are decided by your local Health and Social Care Trust following an individual needs assessment.

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The information on this page is a general guide for people arranging home care in Northern Ireland. For official information about Direct Payments, contact your local Trust or visit nidirect’s Direct Payments for care guidance.