Free support is available to local authorities planning to introduce prepaid cards for service users.
The West Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (IEP) have hired Ticon UK to help authorities build a business case, free of charge, for using prepaid cards to provide service users with individual budgets.
Individual budgets are an alternative way of paying for social care. Instead of local authorities buying services on behalf of individuals, they are given control of their own budget and can direct how it is spent, tailoring the care package to suit their needs.
The cards work by preloading them with a sum of money which can be used to make payments up to the total value of money on the card, and can be topped up when required
Ticon UK will provide support by:
· Collecting and analysing information on processes currently in place for disbursing social care funds
· Giving authorities prices provided anonymously by banks issuing prepaid cards to corroborate estimates of how much a prepaid card scheme will cost to operate
· Producing a completed business case for the introduction of prepaid cards for individual budgets.
Worcester County Council is in the process of testing the feasibility of prepayment cards with the help of Ticon UK consultant Paul Mander, who says: “The cards offer an innovative, cost effective way to help citizens manage their payments and meet the outcomes identified in their care plan. With the support from Ticon, Worcester County Council is hopeful of developing a successful business case.”
Ticon UK have a fixed budget to provide consultancy support to interested local authorities and the number of days available will be discussed directly with each authority.
Depending on the amount of funds available West Midlands IEP may be able to help authorities implement prepayment cards after completion of the business case.
Paul Mander can be contacted on 07899 954458,
e-mail paul.mander@ticon.uk.com
The West Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (IEP) have hired Ticon UK to help authorities build a business case, free of charge, for using prepaid cards to provide service users with individual budgets.
Individual budgets are an alternative way of paying for social care. Instead of local authorities buying services on behalf of individuals, they are given control of their own budget and can direct how it is spent, tailoring the care package to suit their needs.
The cards work by preloading them with a sum of money which can be used to make payments up to the total value of money on the card, and can be topped up when required
Ticon UK will provide support by:
· Collecting and analysing information on processes currently in place for disbursing social care funds
· Giving authorities prices provided anonymously by banks issuing prepaid cards to corroborate estimates of how much a prepaid card scheme will cost to operate
· Producing a completed business case for the introduction of prepaid cards for individual budgets.
Worcester County Council is in the process of testing the feasibility of prepayment cards with the help of Ticon UK consultant Paul Mander, who says: “The cards offer an innovative, cost effective way to help citizens manage their payments and meet the outcomes identified in their care plan. With the support from Ticon, Worcester County Council is hopeful of developing a successful business case.”
Ticon UK have a fixed budget to provide consultancy support to interested local authorities and the number of days available will be discussed directly with each authority.
Depending on the amount of funds available West Midlands IEP may be able to help authorities implement prepayment cards after completion of the business case.
Paul Mander can be contacted on 07899 954458,
e-mail paul.mander@ticon.uk.com
