Today we welcome disabled direct payment users from Cambridgeshire to Purple.  We have recently been successful in winning a support services contract from Cambridgeshire County Council to provide information, advice and guidance to those users considering a direct payment; a comprehensive payment service for those employing PA’s or using agency care; and a full employment service for those wanting to recruit and retain PA’s.

Joining the Purple Staff team are Dan, Sam, Sarah and Bob and we are very much looking forward to working with them in our new Cambridgeshire office in Waterbeach.

Direct payments are an incredibly important method of local authorities and clinical commissioning groups empowering disabled people to have control and choice over their own care and support.  They are the difference between individuals perhaps having to live in residential care and living in their own home with support.  It is also the difference between disabled people employing their own PA’s and instead of relying on various agency staff.

The contract will give disabled people the opportunity to benefit from the innovations Purple has developed into our service:

• The website portal will enable users to log-in and to review their real time account balances, see when payments are due in and payments to be made.
• There will be an opportunity to access information and a range of resources 24/7.
• We are developing a live chat function which will provide an alternative method of asking questions and receiving answers.
• Our online PA register will be one of the first of its kind with users being able to build their own PA profiles and being matched to a shortlist of candidates.

We see this contract as the start of our journey with disabled people in Cambridgeshire.  We will expand our other Purple offers, particularly around employment and therefore engage with businesses.

Today heralds the start of something really exciting.