Living independently at home is something many disabled people do every day, often with a clear sense of what they need and how they want to live. But arranging that support in a way that feels genuinely flexible, personal, and in your control is not always straightforward.
This article is for disabled people who want to arrange support at home on their own terms, and for families helping someone they love do the same. Whether you are exploring support for the first time, returning to the question after a change in circumstances, or looking at how a Direct Payment could give you more choice over how support is organised, it is worth understanding what your options are.
The case for arranging support directly
Traditional care agencies can feel limiting. Rotas change, faces change, and the support itself is often shaped around what the agency offers rather than what works for you. For people who know exactly what kind of help they need and when, this can feel frustrating and impersonal.
Arranging support directly with a self-employed Personal Assistant gives you a different kind of relationship. You choose who supports you, agree the hours and tasks between you, and build familiarity over time with someone who understands your routines and preferences. This is the model ilarna is built around.
Using a Direct Payment
If you have had a social care assessment and been found eligible for support, you may be entitled to a Direct Payment. Rather than having services arranged for you by your local authority, a Direct Payment puts the budget in your hands so you can choose who supports you and how.
Direct Payments are widely used by disabled people who want greater control over their support. They can be used to employ a Personal Assistant directly, or to arrange support through a platform like ilarna, where ilarna Personal Assistants work on a self-employed basis.
Our guide to using your Direct Payment with ilarna explains how the platform supports invoicing, payments, and record-keeping in a way that works alongside a Direct Payment arrangement.
What support can look like
Support at home can cover a wide range of everyday needs. Personal care routines, help getting out to work, appointments or social activities, assistance with household tasks, or simply having a familiar person around at certain times of day. The point is that it is shaped around your life, not a pre-set package.
With ilarna, you agree tasks, times, and rates directly with your ilarna Personal Assistant. If your needs change, arrangements can change too, without having to go through an agency or wait for a review.
Choosing the right person
Inviting someone into your home to support you is a personal decision. With ilarna, you browse profiles of independent, self-employed ilarna Personal Assistants, read about their experience and approach, and choose who you would like to speak to before agreeing anything. An introductory conversation gives you the chance to see whether working together feels like a good fit.
All ilarna Personal Assistants complete identity checks, right-to-work verification, and an Enhanced DBS check before appearing on the platform. You can read more about how ilarna Personal Assistants are verified in our guide to building a relationship of trust.
Further support and information
If you are looking for broader guidance on independent living and disability rights, a number of organisations offer helpful information. Disability Rights UK provides resources on Direct Payments, personal budgets, and independent living. Scope offers practical advice for disabled people and their families navigating support options. The Social Care Institute for Excellence also publishes accessible guidance on self-directed support and personal budgets.
If you would like to find out more about arranging support at home through ilarna, get in touch using the form below, or call us on 0208 050 4805.
