Prepaid Cards for Families and Children in Care

The contract will involve the provision of a prepaid card service with the following key features:

1. **Prepaid Card Functionality:**

• Cards must be reloadable by the council.
• Designed for use by families and children in care.

2. **Security Features:**

• PIN protection for all transactions.
• Ability to restrict transactions to specific merchant categories (e.g., no ATM withdrawals, no gambling or alcohol purchases).

3. **Council Management Portal:**

• A secure online platform must be provided for council staff to:
• Top up funds onto cards.
• Monitor transactions in real time.
• Set spending limits or restrictions.

4. **Timely Income Management:**

• Funds must be available to users immediately upon top-up.
• Preferably secure integration with council systems for payment tracking.

5. **Transaction Monitoring & Reporting:**

• Secure web-based portal for real-time transaction monitoring.
• Transaction data must be accessible in multiple formats, preferably in multiple formats but at a minimum must have CSV.
• Automated data transfers via **SFTP**.
• **API integration** for seamless data exchange with council systems.

6. **Scalability and Flexibility:**

• The solution must accommodate fluctuating demand.
• Ability to issue additional cards as needed.

The council wishes to continue fulfilling its current services to the same high standard, though recognizes the need to engage with the innovative providers within the market to better understand the wider offer which may be available in an ever developing digital service area.

If you are interested in any further discussions regarding this notice please contact Gabriella.brown@stoke.gov.uk with the reference 'Prepaid Cards' where additional details can be discussed.