Blind man from Bradford speaks of care invoice struggles

Stephen Goodson, 54, who also suffers from mental health problems, used to receive home care managed by Bradford Council.

However, he was not satisfied with the support he received so he chose to change to Bradford-based home care provider Together We Care in April last year.

Mr Goodson said he feels "very content" with the support provided by Together We Care, adding that the quality of his life has improved "immensely" thanks to the company.

Together We Care does not have a contract with Bradford Council, however, as the authority said the company requires two years' experience and was therefore unable to bid to be on its registered provider list.

As a result, Mr Goodson receives direct payments and is effectively an employer - and he said this means he must submit monthly invoices to the Council payroll so Together We Care can receive payment.

But Mr Goodson complained he is struggling to manage the administrative tasks associated with direct payments due to his physical and mental health.

Mr Goodson finds it difficult dealing with direct payments (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Goodson said he would like Bradford Council to make "reasonable adjustments" - so he could continue to receive help from Together We Care while the authority manages payments for the company, meaning he would not have to deal with the administrative tasks.

The Council said it could not comment on individual cases but insisted it wanted to make sure it helps "every person who needs care and support to reduce any negative impacts of stress and anxiety".

It added it "keeps trying to find solutions to meet their needs and keep in touch to offer different options until we find a satisfactory outcome".

'I dread the 10th of each month'

Mr Goodson, of Shelley Grove, told the Telegraph & Argus: "Because Together We Care does not have a contract with the Council, I feel I have been indirectly forced to sign up for direct payments.

"I find handling direct payments very difficult - I don't have anyone locally who can support me with this.

"Sadly, my family is all dead and friends I still know live hundreds of miles away.

"I must authorise monthly invoices for payment, but I find this process very difficult and stressful.

"Asking someone who's blind to do this is just insane and cruel.

"The 10th of the month is becoming a time of great anxiety to me as I know I'll have another invoice to deal with.

"I feel the Council is trying to push me towards accepting care from one of the care companies on its registered provider list - but from past experiences I do not want that.

"I'm very content with the care I receive from Together We Care and I'm sticking with them – and I would like the Council to help me by ideally placing me on a managed service with Together We Care so I don't have to do the administrative tasks."

Bradford City Hall

Together We Care directors Kiran Mahmood and Nargis Mahmood added: "Together We Care has been supporting Stephen with the battle he is experiencing with Bradford Council and ensuring his voice is being heard.

"Sadly, Stephen has no family or friends.... and is facing struggles with the direct payment process.

"This could be managed by Bradford Council, however they are choosing not to adjust their policies.

"We feel their policies are contradicting one another. They have policies in place to promote choices and control to vulnerable people but at the same time they are not eliminating the barriers in place."

The Telegraph & Argus put the concerns raised to Bradford Council.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "While we are unable to comment on people’s individual cases, we want to make sure we support every person who needs care and support to reduce any negative impacts of stress and anxiety.

"When people do contact us, we keep trying to find solutions to meet their needs and keep in touch to offer different options until we find a satisfactory outcome."