If you’re receiving care through a council-funded Direct Payment in Portsmouth, you don’t have to use whichever provider you were assigned. The money is yours to direct. This page explains how switching works, and what’s worth asking before you do.
What a Direct Payment Lets You Do
If your local authority has agreed to fund your care, a Direct Payment means that money is paid to you (or a nominated person) instead of the council choosing and arranging a provider on your behalf. You decide who provides the care, how often, and how it’s delivered. A lot of the families we work with in Portsmouth use their Direct Payment specifically so they can choose us over whoever the council would otherwise have assigned.
Why Families in Portsmouth Choose Daisy
We’re a local, family-run agency based in Portsmouth, not a national call centre working from a script. Tebby, our Staff Manager, is personally responsible for staff welfare, training, supervision and rostering — one person’s job, not something split across departments you never get to speak to. That’s the kind of detail that tends to show up in whether the same carer turns up week to week, which is usually what people actually mean when they ask if a provider is any good.
Switching Provider Is a Straightforward Process
If you’re already receiving a Direct Payment and using another agency, moving to Daisy doesn’t mean starting your care assessment again or putting your funding at risk. It’s a change of provider, not a change of entitlement. We’ll talk you through exactly what’s involved before you commit to anything.
Common Questions
Do I have to use the provider the council recommends?
No. If your care is funded through a Direct Payment, the choice of provider is yours. That’s the entire point of receiving the payment directly rather than having the council commission care on your behalf.
Will switching provider affect my Direct Payment or my care assessment?
No. Your care assessment and your funding entitlement stay with the council. Switching provider only changes who delivers the care, not who’s paying for it or how much you’re entitled to.
How quickly can care start if I switch to Daisy?
It depends on your situation, but we can usually move quickly once we’ve had an initial conversation and understood your care needs. Get in touch and we’ll give you a realistic timeframe.