Archived decisions

Contact: Lucy Butler, Strategic Commissioning Director Ext (01962)845612

1. Summary:

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That Cabinet approves the proposal to consult on a range of specific areas related to the Direct Payment process and associated roles and responsibilities outlined in Section 6 of the supporting report.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the corporate strategy by:

`Maximising well being' for Adults and Children's Services clients considering and currently electing to receive Direct Payments in lieu of directly provided services by improving access to a wider range of services and better enabling independent living.

`Hampshire safer and more secure for all' by putting in place greater safeguards against abuse, including a Direct Payments risk assessment which will ensure adult protection is addressed before a Direct Payment is given to a service user.

2.2 Hampshire is bound by the provisions of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (sections 57 and 58) and accordingly offers service users the option of a Direct Payment as one way of receiving care services. Around 900 children's and adults services users (7% of the total social services customer base) elect to receive Direct Payments, on the basis that this enables them to take control of how their support is arranged. Both the Adults and Children's Service Departments are committed to increasing the range of choices available to customers and see Direct Payments as a key way in which this can be delivered.

2.3 The four key motives for the review include (i) a recognition that the process of setting up and receiving a Direct Payment is currently over-complicated and is a barrier to uptake, (ii) that the current internal business processes are not viable should the number of clients increase by a relatively small amount without significant impacts on the level of resourcing, (iii) a response to the risks and issues highlighted by Internal Audit Report for the period 2005-2006, (iv) for Adult Services only, there is a need to improve performance, following the closure of Scheme A and the higher national expectations on Local Authorities to deliver services through direct payments.

2.4 In response, the Adult and Children's Services departments have determined the need to undertake a review of the business process to identify a portfolio of changes to address the issues raised.

3. Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The alternative option is to do nothing, which would not meet the needs of clients in future years, nor address the issues raised in the Internal Audit Report 2005/06. It would result in further declines in the uptake of Direct Payments (an APA indicator) and operational inefficiencies.

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - none

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - none

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, C.B.E - Chairman