Direct Payment Support Service

Tender description

The Direct Payment Support Service (DPSS) will ensure that individuals who choose to receive their care via a Direct Payment are enabled, empowered and supported to manage them safely, legally and in line with statutory requirements.The service will provide high-quality, person-centred support that promotes independence, choice, and control. The service will provide information, advice and guidance to the Direct Payment Recipient on being an employer, be responsible for managing the Personal Assistant (PA) Register, and offer financial services including managed accounts and a fully auditable payroll. The DPSS will operate as part of the wider Children and Adult's Social Care offer in Peterborough, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and a seamless experience for individuals, families, and professionals. The Authority is conducting the procurement using the open procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 for the purpose of procuring the services. The Authority reserves the right to deviate from the formalities of the open procedure given the flexibilities permitted by Regulation 9 of the Procurement Act 2023 in the conduct of procurements for "wholly or mainly for the supply of services of a kind specified in regulations under subsection (2)", otherwise referred to as "Light Touch Regime" procurement. The Authority proposes to enter into one Contract for a maximum period of 6 years, being an initial term of 3 years and extensions of up to 3 years (1 x 24 month extension and 1 x 12 month extension), with the successful Bidder. The anticipated service commencement date is 1st October 2026 which may be subject to change dependent on the Authority's governance and requirements. The Authority expects the mobilisation of services to commence three months prior to the services commencement date; therefore, mobilisation is anticipated to commence from 1st July 2026. The anticipated value of the Services is approximately £1,680,000 over the full contract term of six years.