1. How many of your authority's customers are in receipt of a direct payment for Care Act services, please?
659 users out of 2426 and 460 carers out of 752 - Short and Long Term (SALT) Return 2023/24

2. What was the combined value of all Care Act budgets (Adult & Children) delivered through direct payments made in 2023 and 2022, please?
Adults: 2022 £6,762,839; 2023 £6,813,706
Childrens: 2022 £708,164; 2023 £865,307

3. What is the median amount of a gross direct payment made on behalf of your organisation?
£2,573 (2022/23 median)

4. How frequently are direct payments made (i.e., weekly, fortnightly, 28 days or calendar month). Please provide a breakdown, thank you.
Paid calendar monthly in advance.

5. How many of your direct payment clients receive their payment into a prepaid card or managed account? Please provide a breakdown of the numbers, thank you.
All clients have opted to receive a Pre Paid card.

6. What is the applicable contract length with these providers and when do these arrangements come up for renewal?
Contract from Sept 21, 3 + 2 years (max of 5).

7. Does your authority use prepaid cards to disburse funds to other people (i.e., asylum seekers, refugees, homeless). If so, please can you provide a breakdown of the median amount, recipient category, frequency of funds disbursed and the total value of funds made in 2023 and 2022, please?
WBC Deputyship Team use Pre Paid cards for personal allowances.