Costs Associated with Reed's AGMA/GM Collaboration Framework for Children's Services
Dear Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,
I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Specifically, I am interested in obtaining details about the costs that the council incurs when employing agency social workers within children's services through Reed's AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) or GM (Greater Manchester) collaboration framework.
I am interested in establishing the charges/costs, other than the agency margin and the worker pay rate, for every current temporary social worker engaged via REED that the council faces from using the REED Framework.
To clarify, I am only seeking information related to agency social workers who are engaged in children's services.
Please provide this information for the most recent fiscal year available, or specify the time period for which you can provide information.
I look forward to receiving your response within the statutory time frame of 20 working days.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Steven Tyler
Dear Steven,
Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Agency Social Workers’ (reference number 10014). Your request was received on the 22/09/23 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.
If you have any queries about this request, please contact Information Governance on 01254 585852. Alternatively, our email address is [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Kind Regards,
Heather Wolstenholme
Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 585651
Dear Steven
Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Agency Social Workers’ (reference number 10014); Please see our response attached/below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Other than the worker pay rate and the agency margin there are no further fees incurred.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request for information and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Old Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy.
Kind Regards,
Fatima Makken
Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 585852
Dear Access to information,
Thank you for your response. Although I believe I need to clarify my question. I acquiesce to the fact that Blackburn council are not being charged by REED on a per worker basis but therefore must being on some form of fixed cost basis. As evidenced by there own website in which they stipulate " Using frameworks is an easy, cost-effective solution, with pre-agreed pricing and terms and conditions.". Ass REED are not a registered charity, it stands to reason that they are compensated in some fashion.
As this is a cost incurred by the Blackburn Council, we believe that it is in the public interest that the contract is transparent and can be scrutinised by the public.
Yours sincerely,
Steven Tyler
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