Provision of Direct Payment Support Service for Adults inclusive of Managed Accounts and Payroll and Pension Auto-enrolment and Employer Support to people living within the Borough of Sandwell - AWARD

Provision of Direct Payment Support Service for Adults inclusive of Managed Accounts and Payroll and Pension Auto-enrolment and Employer Support to people living within the Borough of Sandwell

The Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell wished to appoint up to three Contractors to provide up to three Direct Payments Support Services to adults living within the Borough of Sandwell. The Direct Payment Support Service consists of three service areas or lots and the Council may have awarded more than one lot to an individual Contractor. Contractors could bid to deliver 1,2 or all 3 Lots.

The services will be provided to individuals who are in receipt of a personal budget and wish to use a direct payment to retain choice and control over the services they receive. The services will be:

Lot 1: Payroll service: to provide a comprehensive payroll service to Direct Payments recipients within Sandwell including payroll calculation, registration with HMRC, administration of Pension Auto Enrolment and assistance with accounting for tax and National Insurance.

Lot 2: Managed Account service: to administer the Direct Payment accounts for individuals who are in need of such assistance. The type of account may be one where the client employs a Personal Assistant or one where they engage with an agency for the provision of their care. The service will include managing the receipt of the clients assessed charge into the account.

Lot 3: Employer Support Service : to provide advice, information and training to all eligible individuals to enable them to employ Personal Assistants using their Direct Payment and assisting them with the complexities of becoming an employer.

It is anticipated that the contract will commence on 6 April 2017 and run for a period of 3 years (until 5 April 2020) with an option to extend, (subject to the Council's needs for the services) for a further year.