Staff absence protection scheme for schools

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information which may be found within your Education, Children's Services or Insurance/Finance Department.

I write to request information regarding and relating to any 'staff absence insurance/mutual/pooling' schemes that are ran by or on behalf of the authority for schools & academies in your authority. Please could you kindly provide answers to the following:

1 Does the Authority currently provide a staff absence protection scheme for schools?

1.2 If the Authority does not provide such a scheme:

a. Has the Authority historically provided a staff absence protection scheme for schools?

b. If so, when did the provision of this scheme cease?

1.3 If the Authority does provide a staff absence protection scheme:

a. Is the scheme outsourced to another provider b. delivered directly by the Authority?

1.4 If the scheme is outsourced to another provider either via tender or direct appointment:

a. Which provider is responsible for the scheme? b. When does the current agreement with this provider expire?

2 Who within the Authority is responsible for the management of the staff absence protection scheme?

If the scheme is provided directly by the Authority, please provide detailed information about the scheme, including: a. The daily benefit amount reimbursed for each category of staff.

b. The waiting period applied to each claim.

c. Any exclusions to the scheme, with details of such exclusions.

d. Any maternity related cover options

3 When is the renewal date for the schools participating in the scheme?

4. Is there an opt-in date for schools prior to the renewal date?

5. How is the price of the scheme determined for each school?

6. How many schools are currently participating in the scheme?

7. For the scheme year 2024:

a. The total contributions made to the scheme.

b. The total claims payments made from the scheme.

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. Yes

1.2 N/a

1.3 Directly delivered by the local authority

1.4. N/a

2. The Schools Finance Team

a. This information is Commercially sensitive

b. Claims are submitted on a monthly basis

c. This information is Commercially sensitive

3. Renewed annually based on the financial year

4. No.

5. This information is Commercially sensitive

6. 136

7a-b. This information is Commercially sensitive

Section 43(2) exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity).