INFORMATION and advice on Direct Payments for social care services will be available during sessions at Ely, March and Wisbech Library over the coming weeks.

The drop in sessions are open to people already using DPs or thinking of applying, social care professionals, voluntary sector organisations and members of the public who are interested in the payment system.

A Direct Payment for social care is a cash sum paid to a person to enable them to make their own social care arrangements.

The events have been organised by the Penderels Trust, which works on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council to provide a Direct Payments (DP) support service and to help people apply for a direct payment and to set up their own support services.

Information about DP will be available together with information about employing and managing staff, choosing and using a care agency, payroll services and managing finances.

People over 65 with social care needs and people over 16 with a range of disabilities or health issues can apply, as can anyone with parental responsibility for a disabled child or anyone who is a carer and aged over 16.

The sessions will take place between 11am-3pm at Ely Library on January 31, March Library on February 13 and Wisbech Library on February 19. You do not have to book a place to attend.

Information is also available from Penderels Trust via e-mail at Cambridgeshire@penderelstrust.org.uk or on 0345 6000 684.