Karen Attree is retiring after over 30 years of working for Wokingham Borough Council.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to someone like Karen who has touched so many people in her years of working for Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and in particular Direct Payments.

Karen has been a true champion and advocate for Direct Payments, always promoting choice and control and helping so many people to live the lives they choose.

Karen has made a real difference to those who have a Direct Payment and to colleagues at WBC alike. Karen has such a caring and thoughtful manner, she is always willing to help and offer guidance. If you call Karen with a query, whether it’s a simple 'can you please pay this invoice', to the more complicated payroll queries, Karen will help. She may not get back to you straight away and it maybe after 5pm, but she will get back to you.

Karen has been with the Direct Payments team long enough to see many changes, many new faces and many different office locations. Some of the locations have been better than others. But Karen has supported the changes with good grace and she will always find a way to make the best of things.

I’m sure there are so many people who would like to say thank you to Karen for everything she’s done, for the support, the guidance and consideration she has shown over the many years. Karen, you will be greatly missed, by all who know you.

We would all like to wish you good health, every happiness and success in all your future endeavours.

Have a wonderful retirement from all of us. 

Prepaid Financial Services is the bank used to manage your Direct Payment.

PFS customer helpline: 020 3633 4515

Managing your Direct Payment Account

• Funds are paid into your PFS account by Wokingham Borough Council.
• Funds should be spent in accordance within your support plan.
• You should spend funds directly from your PFS account.
• At the time of payment, evidence of expenditure (invoices or receipts) should be saved to your online portal.  

PFS are there to help you with any banking related queries. 

You can contact PFS directly if you need help with:

• Setting up or accessing your online bank account. 
• Making a payment or investigating why a payment has declined.
• Checking your balance or whether a payment has been made.
• And more.

PayPacket are a payroll provider used by many of our customers. 

PayPacket customer services: 0800 848 8998

Did you know?

• Unless your PA is self-employed or paid via an agency, they should be paid via payroll. 
• You have a duty of care to protect your carers; this means that they should be paying tax and national insurance and they deserve the right to pension contributions and holiday pay. A payroll provider will ensure this is done correctly. 
• Money is provided to cover the cost of payroll services as part of your Direct Payment.

PayPacket are there to assist with any payroll related queries.

You can contact PayPacket directly if you need help with:

• Setting up payroll.
• Timesheet queries.
• Ensuring your Carer/PA is paid correctly.
• Holiday Pay.
• And more.