To ask the Minister of Health whether he will commit to commissioning an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of direct payments administered to carers of children and young people with complex needs.

The Department of Health is currently in the process of finalising The Children With Disability Framework in response to the increasing challenges faced by families of Children With Disability, and the corresponding difficulties experienced by Trusts in meeting rising demands and increased complexity of need.

There has not yet been an independent evaluation of Direct Payments. However, one of the recommendations that is included within The Children’s Disability Framework is that a Task and Finish group should be established to explore the issues in the use of Direct Payments, and to make recommendations for any necessary change. It is acknowledged within the draft Children’s Disability Framework that there is a need to consider how families can be supported to make the most effective use of direct payments.

As outlined above, the Department of Health recognises the need to review Direct Payments, and it is anticipated that a review will occur in the near future following finalisation of The Children’s Disability Framework.