19 067 Provision of a Direct Payments Support Service

19 067 Provision of a Direct Payments Support Service
1.1 Introduction / The Service to be Commissioned
Cheshire East Borough Council is seeking to commission a Direct Payment Support Service. The Service has two components and provides an opportunity for the Provider to income generate and will provide:
• Universal, impartial, independent information and advice to the residents of Cheshire East. The Service will promote independence, enable and empower individuals and reduce the dependency on formal ongoing arrangements for the provision of information, advice and guidance and brokerage of care and support.
• A brokerage function to Service Users who wish to receive their personalised budget as a direct payment to meet their eligible support needs. There is the potential for the Provider to income generate for residents classed as ‘‘self funders’’ (this is a term given to someone who can pay for the own care and support) who may require assistance to ‘broker’ their own care and support.


The Commissioners require a provider for the management coordination and provision of a Direct Payment Support Service. The scope of the Service is for adults 18+ (including older people) who are resident in Cheshire East Borough providing a range of activities including:
• Impartial, independent, clear, concise and comprehensive, information and advice to residents in Cheshire East on all aspects of directing their own care
• A brokerage function to Service Users who wish to receive their personalised budget as a Direct Payment to meet their eligible support needs (via a Care Agency or Personal Assistant ) care which is not commissioned by the Council
• Employing staff legally and acting as a good employer
• Managing the paperwork for their direct payments
• Ensuring management of Direct Payments is aligned in accordance with the Cheshire East Council Direct Payment Policy and practice. The Provider will work with the Council and adapt the service in line with any changes/policy developments. The Direct Payment amount given by Cheshire East Council does not include any contribution towards the costs associated with a payroll or managed account service
• Assisting with recruitment of a Personal Assistant or assisting with the arrangement of care via a Care Agency
• Opportunity for the Provider to income generate for those ‘‘self funder’s’ who may require further support to ‘broker’ their own care and support which will fall outside this contract
• Offer initial telephone / email contact and /or proactive support based on individual need
• Carrying out Police Checks on Personal Assistant s DBS (Disclosure Barring Service)
• Supporting with employment law issues, recruitment, retention, training, audit, just checking/follow up checks
• Signposting
• Workshops, peer support, training
• Formalised links with Cheshire East Council
• Opportunity for the Provider to income generate for those ‘‘self funder’s’ who may require further support to ‘broker’ their own care and support which will fall outside this contract