FOI Request - Direct Payments and Related Services

Request 101003683142

I am submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to gather information about the council’s management of Direct Payments and related services. Please could you provide the following information:

1. Outsourcing of Services
a. Does the council currently outsource the following services?

Direct Payments Support Services (e.g., assisting individuals to manage direct payment funds and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations).
Direct Payment Payroll Services (e.g., managing payroll for personal assistants or carers paid through direct payments).

b. If outsourced, please provide:

Whether this is via a framework or sole supplier.
The name of the provider(s).
The start and end dates of the contract(s).
The annual cost of each contract.

2. Functions Offered as Part of the Direct Payments Process

a. Does the council offer the following functions as part of its Direct Payments process?

Pre-paid card function for managing direct payment funds.
Independent Service Fund (ISF) option for managing direct payment funds.
Appointeeship scheme.

b. If yes, please specify:

Whether these functions are managed in-house or outsourced.
The name of the provider (if outsourced).

3. Service Delivery Details
If the above services or functions are delivered in-house, please provide:

a. The internal team or department responsible for delivering:

Direct Payments Support Services.
Direct Payment Payroll Services.
Pre-paid card functions (if applicable).
Independent Service Fund management (if applicable).

b. The annual budget allocated for these services and functions.

4. Procurement and Contracting

a. How does the council procure these services and functions?

If procured through a framework agreement, please provide:
The portal or website where the opportunities are advertised.
Whether the council has any plans to re-tender these services.
If procured through a direct tender process, please provide:
The date of the most recent tender issued for these services.
Any plans or timelines for future tender opportunities.

5. Contact Information
Could you provide the name, job title, and contact details of the person(s) responsible for:
a. Commissioning Direct Payments Support Services.
b. Commissioning Direct Payment Payroll Services.
c. Commissioning pre-paid card or ISF functions (if applicable).
d. Procurement or contract management of these services and functions.

Response 07-01-2025

1. Outsourcing of Services

a) Direct Payments Support Services - No

Direct Payment Payroll Services - Yes

b) Framework or sole supplier: 

We have an approved payroll list

The name of the provider(s):
Accountability
Barrie Bookkeeping
Fife Business Services

The start and end dates of the contract(s):
Individual contracts with each DP recipient

The annual cost of each contract:
Not held. We do not hold the contract; these are held by the individual managing the Direct Payment and is funded through the DP. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held. We offer no guarantee of business or income to the approved providers.  DP recipients chose their payroll provider and have a contract directly with their chosen provider.

2. Functions Offered as Part of the Direct Payments Process  Payroll and managed account service

a) Does the council offer the following functions as part of its Direct Payments process?

Pre-paid card function for managing direct payment funds: 
No

Independent Service Fund (ISF) option for managing direct payment funds:
No

Appointeeship scheme:
No

b) Not applicable

3. Service Delivery Details
If the above services or functions are delivered in-house, please provide:

a) The internal team or department responsible for delivering:

 Direct Payments Support Services:
Self-Directed Support Team

Direct Payment Payroll Services:
Outsourced, as per providers named in 1b

Pre-paid card functions (if applicable):
Independent Service Fund management (if applicable):
Not applicable

b) Not applicable

4. Procurement and Contracting

Not applicable

a) How does the council procure these services and functions?

If procured through a framework agreement, please provide:
The portal or website where the opportunities are advertised:
Public Contract Scotland

Whether the council has any plans to re-tender these services:
No

If procured through a direct tender process, please provide:
The date of the most recent tender issued for these services:
Not applicable 

Any plans or timelines for future tender opportunities:
Not applicable

5. Contact Information 

Could you provide the name, job title, and contact details of the person(s) responsible for:
a) Commissioning Direct Payments Support Services:
Not applicable

b) SDS & Unpaid Carers Team Manager

c) Commissioning pre-paid card or ISF functions (if applicable).
Not applicable

d. Procurement or contract management of these services and functions.
Not applicable as we only use an approved provider list opposed to a framework with any financial figure attached to the contract.