Lancs Independent Living Service

Who we are and what we do

Lancashire Independent Living Service (LILS) is a Consortium of 2 disabled people’s organizations (run and controlled by disabled people), Disability Equality North West (DENW) and Disability Positive (formerly Cheshire Centre for Independent Living (CCIL)  LILS offers Direct Payment information, advice & payroll support to local people who are in receipt of a Direct Payment from Lancashire County Council.

Our team of Independent Living Advisers are on hand to provide Direct Payment information, support and advice.  We aim to provide a friendly and professional service that is independent and impartial.  Promoting through knowledge and support, service user empowerment and independence in the management of a Direct Payment.

We advise users on the options open to them and support them through to independence in the set up and ongoing management of their budget, to enable disabled people to use their budget to meet their assessed care needs.

Providing support and advice on issues relating to the engagement of personal assistants including recruitment advertising, job descriptions and person specifications, interviewing, contracts of employment, employer’s liability insurance and payroll.

We liaise with local authority colleagues and other professionals where necessary to support Direct Payment users to ensure the smooth and correct set up and running of a personal budget.

The LILS office is open Monday to Friday between 09:00-17:00 and we can be contacted on 01772 558863 (option 1) or by email at: lils@disability-equality.org.uk 

Key Questions, Answered

What is a Direct Payment?

Direct payments allow you to receive cash payments from your local authority instead of the local authority arranging the care for you. This can give you much more flexibility and greater choice and control of your support package.

Who can get a Direct Payment?

You may be able to get a direct payment if you have been assessed by Social Services as needing care and support services. Adults aged 18 or over, or the parents of a child with disabilities who is under 18 years old may be eligible. If you have been assessed as needing a personal budget, you may be offered a direct payment.

How do I get a Direct Payment?

To receive direct payments, you first need to ask your local authority to assess your care needs. After the assessment, if you are eligible, you’ll get a care/support plan. This is a written document which detail what needs you have. Your social care worker should discuss the Direct Payments option with you when they assess your care needs.

What happens next?

Your social care worker will refer you in to your local Direct Payment support service, here in Lancashire it will be LILS. Lancashire Independent Living Service will advise you on the options available to you and support you through the whole process. You can have as much or as little support as you need.

Looking for work as a Personal Assistant/Carer?

Lancashire Independent Living Service supports disabled people across Lancashire, to recruit their own support staff.

There are a variety of vacancies available throughout Lancashire with an immediate start. Working hours range from 2-35 hours weekly.

The benefits include 5.6 weeks annual leave, competitive rates of pay, pension scheme plus training opportunities.

To view the current vacancies, please click the below link:

https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?q=LILS%2F&w

Meet The Team

Melanie Close-CEO Disability Equality NW

Lynne Turnbull-CEO Disability Positive

Jeanne Geirnaert-Service Manager-LILS

Karen Fortier-Independent Living Adviser-LILS

Fay Harrison- Independent Living Adviser-LILS

Michelle Hodgkinson-Independent Living Adviser-LILS

Hayley McCooke-Independent Living Adviser-LILS

Emma Myles-Administrator-LILS

Sally Whitton-Administrator-LILS

Sandeep Dhanoya-Independent Living Adviser

Sophie Eccles-Independent Living Adviser

Charlotte Marshall-Independent Living Advisor-LILS