12.—(1) The Secretary of State or an after-care PCT must make arrangements for a patient, representative or nominee to whom direct payments are made to obtain information, advice or other support in connection with the making of direct payments.
(2) The arrangements for information, advice or other support mentioned in paragraph (1) may include provision for—
(a)advocacy services, whereby a third party assists a patient, representative or nominee in relation to the terms of a care plan, or the management of any contract under which services secured by means of direct payments are provided, or otherwise;
(b)commissioning services, whereby a person assists the patient, representative or nominee in procuring services that may be secured by means of direct payments; or
(c)payroll, training, sickness cover or other employment related services to assist a patient, representative or nominee where an employee provides services secured by direct payments for the patient.
(3) If the care plan specifies a requirement for information, advice or other support, that support may be a service in respect of which direct payments may be made.