What is a Fair4All Card Partner+
A Partner+ is simply an organisation which helps its clients, service users and patients to apply for a Fair4All Card.
The Fair4All Card helps disabled people live more independently. Many other disability, care, and health organisations are also supporting disabled people to live more independently. The Partner+ scheme allows disability, care, and health organisations to introduce the Fair4All Card to their clients, service users and patients, and support them to apply for the Card.
Partner+ organisations do not have any responsibility for issuing the Card, and there is no exchange of personal or confidential data. The Partner+ scheme has been carefully designed to be suitable for all disability, care, and health organisations including NHS services, care homes, advocacy organisations, and disability charities.
What does a Partner+ do?
A Partner+ organisation does three things.
- As a Partner+ you bring the Fair4All Card to the attention of your clients, service users and patients and help them to understand the benefits of the Card. We provide all the publicity material in various accessible formats.
- You encourage your clients, service users and patients to apply for the Card, and support them if they need any help in their application. Our helpful applications team guide your clients, service users and patients through the process with your support as needed.
- You recognise the Fair4All Card yourself if it is presented by one of your clients, service users or patients. We provide free online training for your staff and volunteers.
Who can be a Partner+?
Any organisation which supports disabled or older people can be a Partner+. They do not have to be in Buckinghamshire.
The benefits of being a Partner+
- Organisations can easily add the Fair4All Card to the ways you support disabled and older people.
- Your clients, service users and patients can more easily apply for a Card and enjoy the benefits of being a Card Holder.
- Partner+ are publicly identified as organisations that care about disabled people and are committed to fully supporting them.
- Partner+ can access free help and support from BuDS about any disabled access or inclusion issue.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is there a Partner+ Agreement we have to sign?
A: There is a simple Partner+ Agreement to make clear the respective responsibilities of BuDS and the Partner+. You can find a sample copy on our resources page linked below. The agreement has been written to minimise any binding commitments for the Partner+.
Q: Is there any data sharing?
A: There is no sharing of sensitive confidential data between the Partner+ and BuDS, and the Partner+ Agreement has been written to eliminate potential data sharing difficulties. Data is shared by the Card applicant directly with BuDS during the application process in accordance with the Data Protection Act, and this is not shared with the Partner+, keeping each application confidential. If the Card applicant agrees, BuDS will share their names and basic information about the progress of their application with the Partner+ so that the Partner+ can support the applicant as necessary.
Q: What makes the Fair4All Card different from other access cards and ID schemes?
A: There are many different access cards and disability ID schemes, but none of these schemes seems to work for all disabled people everywhere. The Fair4All Card is designed to be a simple, effective, and low-cost way for all disabled people to get the help and support they need everywhere they go. We have a more comprehensive comparison linked below.
Q: Is there a fee for the Fair4All Card?
A: BuDS does not charge for the card itself. However, we do ask for an administration fee of £5 to cover the cost of producing the card. However, we do not want money to be a barrier to accessibility. If your clients, service users or patients have any difficulty paying the fee, we will work with them to reduce/waive the fee.
If Partner+ organisations would like to pay the administration fee on behalf of their clients, service users or patients, this can be arranged. However, there is no obligation for Partner+ organisations to do this.
Q: How can we support our clients, service users or patients to apply for the Fair4All Card?
A: This will vary from person to person. Some of your clients, service users or patients may be happy to apply for the Fair4All Card independently. Some applicants may need reassurance and emotional support, and some may need help to fill in the forms and find medical evidence if needed. Organisations like yourself will know the individual needs of your clients, service users or patients and can tailor support accordingly.
An important way you may be able to support your clients, service users or patients is by providing evidence yourself about their everyday needs where other evidence isn’t available. BuDS will never ask you to share your clients, service users or patients personal or confidential data, but – with their permission – you can provide BuDS with evidence based on your experience of working with that person. For example, an applicant might not have (or have lost) recent medical letters confirming their disability, or their medical letters may not contain enough detail. In these circumstances, a letter from yourself as a professional working with the applicant will probably provide enough evidence for the Card to be issued.
Q: What about applicants who lack capacity?
A: An application for the Fair4All Card can be made on behalf of an applicant who lacks capacity by someone who is either entitled to do so or who is acting in their best interests. BuDS will ask you more about this during the application.
Q: What about children?
A: An application for the Fair4All Card can be made on behalf of a child by their parent, carer, or guardian. BuDS will ask you more about this during the application.
Q: What about applicants who need a lot of support or who have complex needs?
A: BuDS will work with disability, care, and health organisations on a case-by-case basis so that all applicants are able to apply for the Fair4All Card.