Purpose

This report seeks the approval
for a 6-month extension (from 1st April 2025 to
30th September 2025) of two contracts critical to the
delivery of the Direct Payment system: The Health and Care Personal
Support Service and the “Virtual Wallet” web-based
banking solution.
 
The procurement strategy report
(PB-2425-000028-S) for the new Direct Payment service was approved
by the Contracts and Commissioning Board on 25 September 2024. The
related Key Decision Notice is referenced as 0424ASCH.  
 
The original commissioning and
procurement timeline has been impacted by several unexpected
circumstances that has meant that there was not enough time to
undertake all the required tasks associated with tendering the
service and having enough time to effectively mobilise the new
service in a way that would not adversely impact individuals in
receipt of a Direct Payment.  
 
The extension ensures not only
uninterrupted delivery of the statutory Direct Payment services as
they stand but will also allow for a smooth transition to a new
provider having completed a tender exercise for a new Direct
Payment System.
 
Incumbent providers
(Independent Lives and People, Places, Lives – PPL) have
agreed to continue to deliver their services for the extend period
in accordance with existing terms and conditions and at no
additional cost to the Authority. This will help to provide
stability to those who are in receipt of a Direct Payment and will
allow for an adequate length of time for them to complete their
exit plans once the outcome of the tender exercise is
clear. 
 
Engagement with those who
currently use the Direct Payment system has been taking place and
all residents who are in receipt of a Direct Payment have been
written to. A communication plan has been developed to ensure
regular monthly updates are being shared throughout the
mobilisation period. Those currently receiving a Direct Payment
have been invited to support the mobilisation and help shape the
service going forward.  
 

Content

For the reasons as set out in
the Reports (Part A and B) and Appendix the Corporate Director for
Adult Social Care and Health AGREED:
 
An extension of the Health and Care Personal Support Service
with    Independent Lives for
a further 6-months from 01st April 2025 to
30th September 2025 for an additional value of
£57,912.50
 
Agree an
extension of the Personal Budget Management “Virtual
Wallet” IT software solution with People Places Lives for a
further 6-months from 01 April 2025 to 30th September
2025 for an additional value of £34,000.00
 

Services   

Amount

Health and Care
Personal Support Services

£57,912.50

Personal Budget
Management” Virtual Wallet”
 

£34,000.00

Total value of
6-month extension

£91,912.50

 
Note that this
extension ensures continuity of service and aids the mobilisation of the new Direct payment single service
contract minimising the impact for Direct
payment user. The total aggregated contract value for both
contracts is £859,877.50

Note that the aggregated value of the total contractual spend
including the 6- months extension for Health and Care Personal Support Service is
£689,877.50

Note that the
aggregated value of the total contractual spend including the
6-month extension for Personal Budget Management “Virtual
Wallet” is £170,000