Freedom of Information Act Request: Direct Payments

Freedom of Information Act Request: Direct Payments

Dear Shaw,

Freedom of Information Act Request: Direct Payments

I am writing in response to your email of 12 May 2014 requesting information about Direct Payments.

In particular, you requested that the Local Authority supplied you with the following information:-

1. Does the Council currently outsource Direct Payments Support Services, Managed Accounts and/or Payroll Services?

Yes

2. If any of these services are outsourced:

a. What is/are the current contract value(s)?

The current annual contract value is £88,181.65.

b. Who is/are the current provider(s)?

Warrington Disability Partnership

c. Are these let as joint or single contracts?

Single

d. What is/are the length of the contract(s), and when is it next up for renewal?

3 years, this is due for renewal at the end of September 2014.

3. Will you be including Children and Young People in the above contracts or tendering separate services?

Approximately a quarter of the current clients are under 18.

4. Have you reserved the right to extend any existing contracts?

If so for how long?

Yes, for a further 6 months from the end date of September 2014.

5. What commissioning model do you currently use – Framework/Block? Block

6. What commissioning model are you considering for future contracts – Framework/Block/ Block with a subcontracting requirement?

Block

7. If these services are not currently outsourced, are there plans to do so? If so, when are they likely to be commissioned and will there be a consultation process?

N/A

8. How many service users currently have a Direct Payment or Personal Budget?

427

9. Does the Council currently outsource or intend to outsource Personal Health Budgets for Adults and/or Children in receipt of Social Care/ Self Directed Support services?

Yes, the Warrington CCG outsources their PHBs.

10. Does the Council currently operate, or intend to operate, a pre-paid card system?

Yes, there are currently pre-payment cards in use.

If you are not satisfied with my response to your request for information, you may ask the Council for an internal review of this decision. You should write to Timothy Date, Solicitor to the Council and Assistant Director Corporate Governance at Warrington Borough Council, Quattro, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 1BN, giving details of your complaint. You should do this as soon as possible, or, in any case, within two months of your request being refused.

If, following the outcome of the internal review, you remain dissatisfied with the Council's response to your information request, you have the right under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545745

Fax: 01625 545 510

Email: <mailto:>

Yours sincerely

Ann McCormack

Assistant Director

Quality Assurance

Tel:01925 442835

Fax:01925 442929

E-mail: