The County Council is committed to giving customers choice and control over their support services; one method of enabling this is through Direct Payments, where the customer receives a cash allocation to spend in an agreed way which will meet their assessed care needs. Direct Payment Support Services are a statutory requirement to ensure that people can receive the appropriate advice and support to make the best use of their money. It also supports the County Council to ensure that Direct Payments are used lawfully and effectively.
The contract for the current service, extended in November 2023 (Key Decision OKD35_23_24), comes to an end on 13th February 2026. A consultation and coproduction project will be occurring across summer 2024 to identify, appraise options for and propose a model of delivery for the future of these services. The County Council intends to seek agreement from the Cabinet Member for Adults Services to carry out the proposed option to meet this statutory requirement from February 2026.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000 and affects more than 1 division;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 27/08/2024
Decision due: April 2025 by Cabinet Member for Adults Services (Cllr Amanda Jupp)
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adults Services (Cllr Amanda Jupp)
Contact: Lucie Venables, Head of Commissioning Email: lucie.venables@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 07955 313325.
Consultation process
A survey will be circulated in July – August 2024 to consult on this decision, and co-production events are planned for August/ September 2026 to further consult on this decision.
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made via the officer contact.
Democratic Services Contact: Erica Taunton Tel: 033 022 26050