Myra Mackenzie is frustrated by the system

About half of Scotland's local authorities are not providing the payments, although the legislation was introduced 18 months ago.

The scheme lets parents buy in services to suit the needs of their child.

Some councils have concerns over background checks but they have been accused of "dragging their heels".

Myra Mackenzie lives with her six-year-old daughter Alicia between Kirriemuir and Alyth, Angus.

Alicia was born with a chromosome disorder and has complex learning difficulties.

It's proving almost impossible to be able to break down the barriers to access direct payments Myra Mackenzie

Ms Mackenzie has been struggling to access direct payments, which should be available to her to buy services for Alicia.

She said: "One of the things that would help Alicia, and I, would be to obtain direct payments, which is money which can be obtained from the local authority to buy in services like respite and recreational services.

"But at the moment it's proving almost impossible to be able to break down the barriers to access direct payments."

Angus Council, like half of Scotland's local authorities, has not yet introduced direct payments for children like Alicia.

Background checks

The council said it was unclear to them how criminal record and background checks could be carried out on potential carers employed directly by families.

Gordon Mackintosh, a senior social work official, said: "We feel our responsibility, particularly in the meticulous approach we have taken to try to ensure that when we do implement a service with the right safeguards for children.

"So, we have taken perhaps more time than some other authorities to try and ensure the service we develop is appropriate for vulnerable children."

Richard Brewster works for a support agency called Direct Payments Scotland, which helps parents access the scheme.

Mr Brewster said many council's have got cold feet over how the system works.

Mr Swinney said the experience was "sadly typical"

He exaplined: "They are saying that until they get more national guidance from the Scottish Executive on this they are not going to do it.

"So, you could take the view that it can be done and that the local authorities that are not doing it are dragging their heels."

Ms Mackenzie has taken her case to her local MSP John Swinney.

Mr Swinney said the experience was "sadly typical" of what is happening to families in many communities in Scotland.

The Tayside North MSP said: "What it hinges on is the ability of local authorities to deliver the services on the ground and every local authority that I've got anything to do with is toiling to deliver these services on the ground."

Angus Council said it expected to have a direct payment scheme in place after March of next year.