SILC services
SILC helps people with disabilities live independently. Our free services provide support across three vital areas:
- Helping you decide whether Direct Payments are the right option for you
- Helping you organise, purchase and manage the support you need, if you decide to choose the Direct Payments route.
- Providing peer support so that you can talk to other people with experience of Direct Payments.
Our services are available to people who are interested in, or already receiving, Direct Payments.
Information
Advice and support
Recruitment
References & CRB checks
Disabilty Living Allowance and the Independent Living Fund
Financial monitoring
Carers Direct Payment
Peer support
Presentations and training
SILC can provide information on all aspects of Direct Payments and Independent Living. If required, we can tailor information to an individual’s specific need and provide it in a variety of formats and languages. If information is required on a subject outside SILC’s area of expertise or remit, we will try to direct the enquirer the organisation that has the information they’re looking for.
SILC has a team of experienced Independent Living Advisers (ILAs) who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, both personally and professionally, in the subject of Direct Payments and Independent Living. These advisers are able to provide information and support to anybody receiving or thinking about receiving Direct Payments. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what Direct Payments are, what they can be used for and how they are best managed.
If you wish to receive a Direct Payment, SILC needs to receive a formal referral from Surrey County Council on your behalf. We can then provide a full range of advice and support to assist in the setting up and managing of the Direct Payment including outlining fully what responsibilities are involved and assist recipients to meet them. Our support does not end after a Direct Payment is set up. We are available to assist with the ongoing running and general administration of the Direct Payment including issues of employment, budgeting and health and safety.
SILC can help you recruit personal assistants. This includes helping you to prepare a job specification outlining the skills, experience and knowledge required, and a job description detailing the hours of work and tasks involved. We can also help with drafting and placing of job advertisements, overseeing the sending out and receipt of application forms, and with the short-listing and interviewing of suitable candidates.
SILC can help you by carrying out CRB checks on prospective employees and following up references.
Disabilty Living Allowance and the Independent Living Fund
We can help you complete applications to the Independent Living Fund and provide ongoing support with this funding. We can also help you complete Disability Living Allowance applications in order to help you enhance your benefits and, in the case of the higher rate care component, give access to the additional resources available from the Independent Living Fund.
Once you’ve decided who is best suited to provide you with the care, support, services or equipment you need, SILC can help with the ongoing management, financial monitoring and administration of your Direct Payment. Some of the ongoing financial support services from SILC must be paid for. If you wish or need to use our financial support services, SILC will make you aware of these costs up front and arrange for the services to be paid for as part of your Direct Payment.
SILC is responsible for administrating and processing ‘one off’ Direct Payments (under £1,000) for carers on behalf of Surrey County Council.
SILC operates a programme of Peer Support & Training Groups throughout the Surrey. Direct Payment recipients can use these forums to meet with SILC advisors, trustees and other Direct Payment users. Peer support groups are a great way of sharing knowledge and experiences, solving problems and chatting to people in similar situations.
Presentations and training
SILC attends events and functions throughout the Surrey in order to promote the use and value of Independent Living, Direct Payments and ‘Self Directed Care’. We also offer training and information sessions to Surrey County Council Staff, voluntary sector organisations and other interested parties. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.