Civica launches Authority Counter-Fraud to help Councils improve Benefit fraud investigation
First tranche of Councils to implement Civica’s latest solution
24 June 2004, Sheffield... Civica plc, one of the UK’s most experienced providers of consulting, software and services for the public sector, has introduced Authority Counter-Fraud, a software and services platform designed to help councils achieve performance improvements in benefit fraud investigation. The company has also announced that nine local authorities across England and Scotland are undertaking performance enhancement initiatives based on the new system.
Developed in conjunction with benefits practitioners and fraud inspection officers, and a component of Civica’s Revenues and Benefits suite, Authority Counter-Fraud provides a comprehensive operational and management solution for counter-fraud activities. It enables inspection teams to focus more time on investigations and less on administration, driving increased success and greater throughput of case work. Recognising that software is only a part of the solution, Civica’s offering also combines advice and planning services for council practitioners.
The Authority Counter-Fraud system enables fraud teams to balance and transfer the workload of officers more effectively through integrated task management. It provides detailed management tools, an effective method of referral and case tracking and a full audit trail, combined with productivity features such as automated correspondence.
The system also provides mobile, real-time access to fraud case data, which provides critical evidence and immediate updates for field-based fraud investigators. Because it is database independent, Authority Counter-Fraud can be deployed easily and at low cost alongside an authority’s existing Council Tax and housing benefits software. Importantly, it can be customised to the specific needs of each authority.
Authority Counter-Fraud’s introduction comes amid a government drive to cut benefit fraud. Housing Benefit fraud and error cost UK authorities between £550 and £750 million in 2002/3, according to the Department for Work and Pensions, which has set a target of cutting this figure by 25 per cent by 2006.
The nine authorities adopting Civica’s solution for performance improvement are: Forest of Dean District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council, Purbeck District Council and Ryedale District Council in England, and East Ayrshire, East Lothian, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian councils in Scotland.
As part of the councils’ plans, Civica will also add Benefits system improvements to increase productivity and accuracy in key performance standards areas. Managers will gain better access to essential management information with additional decision-making support. An Intranet module will also deliver internal read-only access to standard information, providing a cost-effective solution for authorities with a large “enquiry only” requirement, for example at a One-Stop Shop.
Paul Simpson, managing director, Civica Systems, commented: “We are committed to supporting councils in their crack down on Benefits fraud, to which technology can make a significant contribution. With increased focus on performance improvement, it is essential that inspection teams have effective processes and responsive systems in order to manage high levels of case work efficiently through to successful conclusion.”
“In addition, as one of the first fraud management systems on the market to be developed in Microsoft’s .NET environment, Authority Counter-Fraud provides a flexible and scalable platform to support delivery of the next generation of council services, both now and in the future.”
About Civica plc
Civica (www.civica.co.uk) is one of the UK’s most experienced providers of consulting, software systems and managed services to the public sector. Supplying many organisations in the UK, Australia and the USA, including over 700 local authorities, the company has an 18-year history of delivering effective software solutions to local government, police, healthcare, criminal justice and education organisations. Civica Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, is an approved Prime Contractor for software in the UK Government’s GCat procurement catalogue. The company employs approximately 450 people and has a recent track record of profits growth.