This guidance clarifies the role of the Care Quality Commission in regulating the new direct payment support schemes. using the Nregulating agencies which recommend workers who support individuals with personal care needs. Where the agency merely recommends workers, but does not act as their employer, the agency is exempt from many of the requirements set out in the National Minimum Standards under section 23 of the Care Standards Act 2000. Annex 1 provides guidance on how to intepret the National Minium Standards for Domiciliary Care Agencies in order to regulate for the new direct payment support services.