Your Guide to Getting Support with Direct Payments in Croydon
If you’ve been offered a Direct Payment by Croydon Council, you might be wondering what that actually means — and how to make it work for you.
We’re KCIL (Kingston Centre for Independent Living), and we’re here to help. This guide walks you through how we’ll support you every step of the way, from getting started to managing things like hiring a personal assistant (PA).
We are a member-led organisation, and most of our team — including staff and trustees — have lived experience of disability. KCIL has been supporting people with Direct Payments since 2009, and we bring our experience from working across Kingston, Sutton, Richmond, Southwark, and the NHS. Our Croydon team is local, passionate, and ready to support you.
Once Croydon Council sends us your referral, we’ll:
- Get in touch within 2 working days, and arrange a meeting with you within 5 working days.
- Bring along an information pack that explains everything clearly.
- Offer to meet you with your social worker or separately — whichever you prefer.
At the visit, we’ll talk about:
- What a Direct Payment is and what it can pay for.
- Whether you want to manage the money yourself, or have someone manage it for you. How to use the Monika online banking system.
- Support options – Do you want to use your Direct Payment for services in the community or do you want to hire a PA? Do you need help with what’s involved in becoming an employer?
And if you’d like, we’ll come back for more visits to help with anything you’re unsure about.
If the paperwork feels overwhelming, don’t worry — we’re here to help.
We can support you with:
- Applying for a DBS check (if you're hiring a PA).
- Sorting out employers liability insurance and payroll.
- Setting up contracts with the people who will support you.
- Ongoing admin help, like insurance renewals or changes to your PA arrangements.
Choosing the right PA is an important step — and we’re here to support you through the whole process.
KCIL manages a large database of PAs — over 2,400 registered, with more than 380 within 3 miles of the CR0 postcode. Many are already trained and looking for new roles. If we think someone on our register might be a good match for you, we can introduce you directly — saving you time and helping you get started quicker.
We’ll work with you to create a job description that clearly reflects:
- The support you need
- When you need it
- Any special preferences you have
This helps attract the right kind of person for your care.
Once the job description is ready, we’ll:
- Search the KCIL database for a suitable candidate
- Help advertise the role on platforms where local PAs are looking
- Collate the applications and CV’s and support you in reviewing them
When it’s time to meet potential PAs, we can help you prepare and feel confident:
- Talk you through what to look out for (e.g. experience, attitude, reliability)
- If you’d like, we can attend the interview with you to guide the process
We’ll also help with things like risk assessments, writing reference letters, and mentoring to help you build a team of PAs that works for you long-term.
If you’re thinking about using a self-employed PA, we’ll help you check they’re correctly registered with HMRC, have insurance, and provide contracts and invoices. If you prefer to use a care agency, we can help you check if they are CQC-registered and suitable for your needs.
Once you’ve found someone you like, we’ll help you with:
- Employment checks (like DBS if needed)
- References
- Drawing up the contract
- Setting the start date
- Coordinating with Croydon Council to make sure the funding and paperwork are in place
And if there’s a delay in finding someone, the council can arrange a temporary service to make sure you’re still getting the support you need in the meantime.
Being an employer might sound daunting — but we’ll help make it simple.
You’ll have access to:
- Training on being a good employer
- PA induction sessions
- Manual Handling, First Aid, Safeguarding, Infection Control, and Health & Safety training (funded by Skills for Care)
- Quarterly user group meetings where you can meet others and share experiences
- Support from your Case Worker for anything from insurance questions to general advice
4a. Your Choices: Managing the Money Yourself or with Support
When it comes to handling your Direct Payment, you’ve got options — and it’s all about what works best for you.
This means the money from the council goes straight to you (or your representative), and you manage everything yourself:
- You’ll pay your PAs or service providers directly
- Keep records of payments, invoices, and contracts
- Be responsible for keeping within your agreed budget
- Keep the Direct Payment funds in a separate bank account from your personal funds
- Avoid paying in cash unless agreed with the council in advance
- Keep receipts, timesheets, invoices, and clear records of all spending
We’ll still support you with things like payroll, training, and advice — you won’t be on your own!
If you’d rather not deal with the money side of things, you can choose a Managed Account. In this case:
- We will help you open a bank account and the funds will be in a secure account on your behalf
- You send KCIL timesheets and invoices for suppliers and providers
- We’ll make payments to your PAs or service providers
- We’ll handle all the admin like record-keeping, invoices, and reports
You stay in control of your care and your choices — we just take care of the financial side.
If you currently have a Managed Account, we’ll also support your transition from the council’s systems or Virtual Wallet to the new Monika online banking platform. If you use a payroll provider you like, you can keep them — or use KCIL’s in-house payroll service if you prefer.
4b. Acting as an Authorised Person
Sometimes, someone else may need to manage a Direct Payment on behalf of an adult who can’t do it themselves. This is called being an Authorised Person.
If you are acting in this role, you must:
- Use the Direct Payment only in the person’s best interest
- Keep the Direct Payment money in a dedicated bank account that is not mixed with your own
- Keep clear records and act within the law, including safeguarding against fraud
- Complete necessary checks, like a DBS, if managing PAs
KCIL will support you in this role and help ensure you have the right systems and knowledge in place.
Throughout your journey, we’ll stay in touch with your care manager to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Your named Case Officer will guide you through your Direct Payment journey, and we’ll attend reviews and provide regular check-ins.
When it’s time for your annual review your Case Officer will attend the meeting with the Croydon Social Worker to offer support and advice
If there are any issues — like changes in care needs or concerns about safety — we’ll let the council know and work with them to support you.
The KCIL team is based locally and available in person. We will be in the borough on a regular basis. You can meet us at:
- CVA Resource Centre – West Croydon
- Waterside Centre – South Norwood
- Activity Centre – Centrale Shopping Centre (for bigger events)
We also offer home visits, video calls, phone support, and information in accessible formats including Braille and different languages.
We’re hosting a series of “Meet the Team” forums and community drop-ins — come along, ask questions, and get to know us!
You’ll also have access to a full library of guides, templates, factsheets, and videos to support you at every stage of the Direct Payment process.
Just ask! Our team is here to make things easier and ensure your Direct Payment gives you more control, flexibility, and independence in your life.
Visit: www.kcil.org.uk | Call: 0208 546 9603
