2. Scotland Analysis
Figures behind the charts are available in the annex.
- Across Scotland 2605 people received Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) in the year 2007/08, an increase of almost 314 (14 per cent) from the 2006/07 level.
- Half (50%) of these 2605 people received Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) due to a physical disability. The number of people in this client group, has risen from 1185 in 2006/07 to 1304 in 2007/08. 27 per cent of those receiving Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) in 2007/08 were due to a learning disability.
Chart 2: Number of people receiving Self-directed Support (Direct payments) packages by client group and age, 2008
Chart 3: Percentage of people receiving Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) packages by age, 2001-2008
- The age profile of Self-directed Support (Direct Payment) clients has changed since 2001, with a greater proportion of recipients now aged 65 or over. In 2001 only 7 per cent of recipients were in this age group, compared to 25 per cent of clients in 2008. This proportion has, however, fallen from a high of 33 per cent in 2004.
- In the year to 31 March 2008, 1937 payments (74% of the total) were made to people aged under 65.
- There were slightly more females than males in receipt of Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) in 2008, 52% compared to 47%.
Chart 4: Value of Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) packages, 2001-2008
- The total value of direct payments has steadily increased from 2001, and £29.4 million was spent in the year to 31 March 2008. Most of this, around £17.2 million, was spent on people with physical disabilities (58 per cent).
Chart 5: Average estimated value of a Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) package, 2001-2008
- The average value of Self-directed Support (Direct Payment) has increased slightly for the fourth year running, after a decrease in the two preceding years, and stands at approximately £11,000 (based on a previous methodology to allow comparisons back to 2001, see background notes for further details).
The estimated average values in chart 5 are simply calculated by dividing the total value of direct payments for the year by the number of people who received direct payments during the year. From 2006, we collected direct payment information individually for each client and this allows us to make a more accurate measurement of the average cost, by taking into account the length of time each client received payments during the year, see table 2 in the annex for further information.
Chart 6: Average weekly hours in a Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) package - 2008
- On average there were 22 hours per week in a direct payment package in 2007/08. This varied slightly between client groups with an average of 16 hours per week in direct payment packages for people with mental health problems and 25 hours per week in those for people with physical disabilities.
Chart 7: Distribution of length of Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) packages, 2008
- Of the direct payments which were ongoing on 31 March 2008, 23 per cent had been in place for a year or less. A further 25 per cent had been going for over 1 year but less than 2 years and 11 per cent of payments had been in place for over 5 years.
Chart 8: Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) packages starting and ending in 2007/08 by month
The above chart displays the month in which new Self-directed Support (Direct Payments) packages began and finished. 25 per cent began between May and June 2007. 16 per cent of those packages that ended did so in January 2008.