Direct Payments Engagement Group (DPEG) Adults, Health and Housing Direct Payments Engagement Group (DPEG) 14th September 2017 1pm to 3pm The Beehive, Grays

Adults, Health and Housing Welcomes, Introductions & Housekeeping Ian Kennard :| Direct Payments & Personal Budgets| ikennard@thurrock.gov.uk Ian Evans :| Director of Thurrock Coalition | ian@thurrockcoalition.co.uk

Adults, Health and Housing Agenda Purpose of the group (5 mins). Current view / experience of Direct Payments – Group Work & Feedback (30-45 mins) Break (15 mins) Themes to explore – Group work & Feedback (30-45 mins). Questions.

Adults, Health and Housing Purpose of the Group? To regularly engage with Direct Payment Users.   To address key concerns and issues that impact Direct Payment Users and the Authority. To identify gaps in applied practice or in the marketplace as a whole that relate to the use of Direct Payments. To highlight external pressures or issues to Direct Payment users. Identify themes to be explored that would improve the Direct Payment experience.

Adults, Health and Housing Current view / Your Experience – Group Exercise What do you think of the current processes you have experienced? What are the strengths and weaknesses? Is there any additional help or support you require or anything the Authority could do better? Has the idea of Direct Payments lived up to your expectations? How can we improve the experience?

Adults, Health and Housing Themes To Explore– Group Exercise What themes would you like to focus on in the future? Operational? Strategic? Improving processes. Better information. Improving support Market changes. National policy changes. Local policy changes.

Adults, Health and Housing Themes To Explore– Group Exercise Examples Strategic: External pressures such as National Living Wage, Auto Enrolment? Operational: Better information and advice? Strategic: The Care Market – Is there enough choice, what are we missing, what do you need / want?

Adults, Health and Housing Open Forum Is the group required? Feedback? Is the groups purpose appropriate? Questions? Will this add value? Are we missing anyone out? What theme (s) would you like to focus on?