Fraud Error and Debt Newsletter - 04.07.14 (replacing the newsletter sent on 30.06.14)

Fraud, Error and Debt Programme -

External Newsletter.

Date: 4^th July 2014

Further detail of what we do can be found here

Update From Jo

As always there is a lot happening in the Fraud, Error and Debt (FED) Programme!  We achieved Go Live with Phase 1 of Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) and this really is a massive achievement given the scale of the challenge over recent months.  We are also making excellent progress on Real Time Earnings (RTE) and Real Time Information (RTI) projects and I hope that we will be realising savings for the department from both of these initiatives over coming weeks.  One of the key priorities for FED over coming months is to build digital capability to support the delivery of key initiatives including Referral Case Management (RCM) and Strategic RTI.  We are currently working up a plan to make this happen and we will provide an update to stakeholders over coming weeks. 

If you have any questions or comments about any aspect of the FED Programme please let me know.

Referral and Case Management (RCM)

The project is producing a Below the Line (BtL) paper to seek Programme Board approval to migrate from a Waterfall based approach to Agile based delivery. Utilising the information that it has gathered over recent months, the project will undertake further Discovery work using Agile methodology to better understand and define the business needs. This will include:

•       Referral Capture – Producing user stories to enable the project to understand the user need and fit within the overarching RCM requirement

•       Referral Management and Case Management – Producing user stories to help define an outline Minimum Viable Product, solution architecture and assist in the production of a Strategic Outline Business Case.

During Discovery, we will be reliant on the support of operational colleagues and other key stakeholders from within the business, to impart their expertise in specific workshops.  Once the BtL paper is agreed by Programme Board further information will be released to the relevant parties to outline the plans for the Discovery Phase, and what the stakeholder role will entail.

Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS)

The SFIS Project Phase 1 Go Live occurred on 1^st July 2014 for 9 Local Authority (LA) areas - a critical point in the Project. 

As part of this preparation, a final assurance meeting with Mike Driver, the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), was held on 24^th June to confirm that progress on actions from the Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR) gate have been completed. 

Work continues on a number of products including the refresh of the SFIS Business Case in time for the second ORR in September (in advance of the Phase 2 Go Live from 1^st October onwards).

DWP HR is continuing to support the Project with the transfer of employees.  HR commenced engagement with LA HR representatives for Phase 2 areas due to rollout in October, November and December 2014. These meetings have been very positive and detailed planning for all the required implementation activities is now underway. This engagement is being followed up with meetings between affected LAs and Fraud & Error Service (FES) sites and SFIS Implementation Managers.  Engagement with the Government Actuaries Department (GAD) continues to facilitate the transfer of staff pensions from LAs to DWP.

The Project worked closely with colleagues in FES and HR to complete the final stages of preparation for Go Live on 1^st July. This included a well-received Line Manager’s event was held on 12^th June for those FES line managers who will take on new ex-LA staff in Phase 1 to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to manage staff on terms and conditions that may differ from DWP’s.

The Case Migration framework is nearing completion with all stakeholder comments impacted. A Phase 1 approach has been endorsed by SROs from FED and FES and all appropriate Data Handling protocols are in place.

Real Time Information (RTI) Projects Portfolio

Real Time Earnings (RTE) – Proof of Concept (PoC)

A sample set of referrals for non-declared earnings and non state pension was successfully delivered into the business. Feedback from the business has been very positive and agreement has been reached to issue all referrals for these two rules.  An approach has been agreed with the business that will see delivery of all the RTE PoC referrals in stages to ensure that we have sufficient confidence in the outputs and allow the business the opportunity to review small samples before sending all of the remaining referrals into the business.

Bulk Data Match

The Fraud Error Prevention Service (FEPS) processes are now agreed with our stakeholders; detailed discussions continue to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved. We are working closely with FEPS to ensure they are fully updated on progress and any options identified for solution of those issues.

Development of all implementation products and processes is progressing well with effective stakeholder engagement with Carers Allowance (CA), Local Authorities (LAs), Northern Ireland Social Security Agency (NISSA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) remaining a priority.    

Real Time Information (RTI) – Strategic Solution

A new piece of work is underway to investigate the strategic use of RTI data within DWP.  High Level Requirements captured by the Strategic Design Authority have previously been agreed in principle.  As part of a 'Discovery' phase, based on the Agile delivery approach, workshops have been held over the last four weeks with our key stakeholders to capture user needs, prioritise requirements and consider solution options.

A Strategic Outline Business Case is now in development and options will be presented to the Fraud Error & Debt Programme Board.  Planning is underway for the next phase, which is anticipated to start early September after obtaining the necessary governance approvals.

Payment Deductions Programme (PDP)

Live Service

North West Expansion / Families – PDP is continuing to work with Universal Credit (UC) to explore the options for mitigating the capacity limitations. Latest indications are that the volumes are lower than previously estimated.

Social Fund – Additional IT issues have been identified with the UC system resulting in Social Fund recoveries being re-directed. An incident has been raised which is now being monitored by PDP.

Digital Service (Formerly End State)

Social Fund – A High Level Business Requirement (HLBR) workshop has recently been held and a revised paper will shortly be issued for review.

Debt Management System (DMS) / Universal Credit (UC) interface – Agreement has been reached with the Portfolio Management Unit (PMU) that PDP can now take on the responsibility for the DMS / UC interface following the approval of Change Request (CR) 21. A meeting to fully assess the impact is to be scheduled.

Housing Benefit – A project re-start meeting was held on 17^th June with the Local Authority Data Sharing (LADS) Programme, IT Project Directorate (ITPD) & PDP. HLBR workshops are now being scheduled.

Tax Credits – Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) High Level Design Principles have been received for DWP review and sign-off. This will inform the requirements and Service Level Agreements.

Other

PDP Business Model – Work is still continuing to review the data and volumetrics to inform Full Time Equivalent (FTE) requirements.

National Fraud Initiative (NFI)

A successful Implementation Readiness Review was completed on 10^th June.

Successful visits to Ilford and Kilmarnock have resulted in agreement and baselining of NFI Proof of Concept (PoC) specific guidance.

NFI data have been released to Fraud and Error Prevention Service (FEPS) and matching has commenced by Pension Credit and Working Age teams. All the Working Age data have been uploaded and work is on-going to complete this for Pension Credit.