Personal budgets and short breaks

Children's Short breaks

If you receive a short breaks budget for a child aged five to 17, our SEND Local Offer has more information. You can also watch our Direct Payments guidance video for more information.

Transitioning from a short breaks budget to a personal budget

If you have had a Short breaks budget, you may wish to continue that arrangement once you become an adult. Find out more about preparing for adult life.

Adult's Personal budgets

If you're an adult and eligible for financial help towards your care costs, we'll contribute an amount towards those costs. This is called your personal budget.

We financially assess all adults who receive social care through Norfolk County Council, and you may have to pay something towards the cost of the services you need. 

You'll need to arrange to pay your contribution into your direct payment account. We recommend that you set up a standing order with your own bank to do this. We'll check that you've paid your contribution into your direct payment prepaid account. If you've a question about the amount you've been advised to contribute, contact our assessment team on 01603 222133.

To find out more watch our YouTube video guidance:

• What is a Direct Payment through Adult Social Services? (opens new window)
• How to get a direct payment through Adult Social Services (opens new window)

A Direct Payment can give you more control over the care you receive.

Our preferred method of payment for the care services you choose is via a prepaid bank account. We'll set this bank account up for you to receive your direct payment money and payments can easily be made.

Pre-paid bank accounts

Your pre-paid bank account can be either a supported bank account or a self-managed bank account. You can discuss which option would work best for you with your social care practitioner (adults) or short breaks team (children).