If you cannot afford to pay the charge you should ask for a review. If you are unhappy with your assessment or the services provided, talk it through with your care manager or social worker first. If you are still dissatisfied, use the social services' complaints procedure to take things further. The Community Care Direct Payments Act 1996 allows social services departments to pay money to a disabled individual so they can buy in their own care services on a private basis, either in total or alongside local authority-provided services, if the individual so wishes. Again, an assessment of your needs is the first step.
Direct payments offer greater flexibility and user-control of services.
For example, you could come to an arrangement with the social services department whereby it provides a home help to do the cleaning and basic shopping twice a week, and with a sum of money which enables you to recruit and employ your own personal care assistant. There are various things to take into account when considering this option, such as your duties and responsibilities as an employer, but the autonomy and control it gives you could outweigh any administrative vexations. You have to apply to the social services department first, and the Fund can supplement local authority services up to a maximum of 500 a week per person.