Provision of a Direct Payment Service

Descriptions

Wrexham County Borough Council currently has over 260 Direct Payments recipients; of which around 20-25 are actively being supported by the Third Party Support Service at any one time. A further 130-135 people on average are managing independently with occasional input in relation to staffing issues or financial changes e.g. increases in the minimum wage.In line with our duties under the Act, and in order to support increased choice and control for people who use services, Wrexham Adult Social Care Department is keen to increase the number of Direct Payment recipients across all client groups, as well as expand the market to deliver care and support which can be purchased via a Direct Payment.As part of this expansion, we wish to gauge the views of the market on our ideas for a new Direct Payment Support Service for the citizens of Wrexham. The Support Service will provide advice, information and support to individuals considering a Direct Payment and to those already in receipt of a Direct Payment. The provider will also play a key role in developing elements of our Direct Payments service to enable us to significantly increase the number of Wrexham citizens choosing a Direct Payment to meet their assessed social care needs.The purpose of Direct Payments is to give people flexibility over when their care is provided, the exact nature of the care, choice and control over who they choose to support them and the standards and quality of that care. As such, the Provider will be expected to work co-productively with recipients in order to enable them to achieve a range of well-being outcomes.In delivering a Direct Payments Support Service, we are looking for a Provider who can successfully deliver on and/ or contribute to the following organisational objectives:•The provision of information, advice and assistance to potential as well as existing Direct Payment’s recipients (including information and advice relating to safe recruitment, payroll, managing staff etc.)•The development of both the quality and size of the PA workforce to enable DP recipients to be able to recruit quickly and retain PA’s•The establishment and spread of Personal Assistant (PA) Cooperatives•Social Worker training with regards the benefits and opportunities of Direct Payments for people who use services•The development of peer support networks with DP recipients becoming peer mentors•The establishment and spread of Direct Payments pooling arrangements and ultimately Direct Payments Co-operatives•To publicise Direct Payments, in a range of accessible formats, and to a wide range of individuals and communities across Wrexham.We are keen to hear from the market in terms of the different types of service models available, or that could be developed, to help us achieve our service vision. We will use any information you provide to further assess how we can best deliver a DP Support Service, before going out to tender.Will any provider who would be interested in helping us to shape this service please express an interest, no later than 12 noon on Friday 2 November 2018. We would like to invite you to come in and discuss your views with us on Wednesday 7 November 2018, at a time which we will confirm with you as soon as possible after the closing time and date.Please note however that Wrexham County Borough Council is conducting this market engagement exercise to allow interested parties, with appropriate experience, to outline their views and provide impartial information to the Council with no commitment to either party. This is not a call for competition at this stage.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=86588.