The FOI request is based around Deputyships and Appointeeships that the authority provides for service users.
Please note that the following are areas that commonly use these services, but not limited to: Direct Payments; Client Financial Affairs (the Council acting as Corporate Appointee and property and affairs Deputy); Adult Social Care

1. Do you currently use an external provider to manage your Court of Protection, Deputyships, Appointeeships, and if so, what is the provider’s name? If not, is the Council looking at outsourcing this area in the next 3-5 years?
Some managing by WBC Deputyship team, others will be referred to external provider. Owl Guardian Services Ltd is our current provider. Cases referred to Deputyship are not outsourced from Deputyship to another provider.

2. What date does the current contract expire (if applicable)?
30/08/2025.
Deputyship does not have a contract.

3. What is the name, email address and phone number of the person and team that manages the Contract/ or potential contract?
commissioningsupportteam@wokingham.gov.uk.
N/A for Deputyship.

4. Which services within the Council or associated partners have an agreement with the provider (if applicable?)
Adult Services

5. What is the annual cost of this contract (if applicable)?
c. £1,000.
N/A for Deputyship

6. Does the Council have a preferred suppliers list for solicitors/companies undertaking Deputyships/Appointeeships where service user is over threshold, if so please supply details?
No

7. If the Council does have a preferred supplier list please confirm the name, email address and contact number for the person and team that manage this list.
We do not hold a preferred providers list but have one current contract in place, as above.

8. How many Deputyships and Corporate Appointeeships does the Council currently manage?
85 Deputyship, 9 Appointee

9. How many referrals have been made to the Council for Deputyships in the last 3 years?
22

10. How long on average does it take from initial referral to the application for Deputyship being submitted to the Court of Protection?
Once the completed referral is accepted and we have received all information we need, the case is allocated to an officer and application is prepared within 7 days. The Court have imposed 14 days up-front notification to client and interested parties before the application can be submitted to court.