Skip to content

Buyers guide

Buyers guide

Useful information when using the Connect to Support Hampshire directories.

About the Marketplace directory
Connect to Support Hampshire is commissioned by Hampshire County Council and managed, on the Council’s behalf, by People Places Lives (PPL).

This directory brings together in one place providers offering services which can help Hampshire residents to stay independent and well. All providers listed in this directory have agreed to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Neither PPL Ltd nor Hampshire County Council check, recommend or endorse any of the providers listed in this directory. It is for you to consider and decide whether the particular provider and service is right for you.

Neither Hampshire County Council nor PPL Ltd will be responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using the site. You need to make your own checks and feel comfortable about the services you are purchasing.

The information below may help you when choosing services.


Safety and quality of the service or product

  1. Have you read the County Council Code of Conduct?
  2. Are there any particular kite marks, checks or accreditations you would expect to see?
  3. Make sure you know how to stop or cancel a service.

What will it cost?

  1. When you make initial enquiries, ask for quotes.
  2. You can make enquiries to several providers to help you compare value for money.
  3. If you are not sure, ask for a further breakdown or explanation from the provider.
  4. Ask for it in writing (email is fine) before you agree to anything.
  5. Think about how you would like to pay - credit card, PayPal, debit card, invoice and so on.
  6. Make sure the provider knows what you want and that you have all the information you need to help you make an informed decision.

We advise people purchasing services through providers listed in the Marketplace directory to seek confirmation and make transactions via email and online, rather than by phone. This gives you a traceable record.

What to do if things go wrong

  1. Tell the provider and ask them what they will do to put things right and by when.
  2. If there is still a problem ask about their complaints procedure.
  3. Check they are working within the County Council's Code of Conduct. If you think they are not working within the Code, remind them about it and report it by phone to PPL Ltd on 03300 582 690 or email info@connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk 
  4. If they are registered with the Care Quality Commission, such as a care home or a provider of personal care at home, contact the Care Quality Commission for help to resolve the problem by phone on 03000 616161 or online at www.cqc.org.uk.
  5. If you pay for care home fees or domiciliary care yourself and are not satisfied with the way your complaint has been dealt with, or feel unable to talk to the care provider contact the Local Government Ombudsman by phone on 03000 610614 or online at www.lgo.org.uk.
  6. If someone has been harmed, or if they could be harmed by something a provider has or has not done, raise a safeguarding concern with the County Council by phone on 0300 555 1386 or online at www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/adultsocialcare/safeguarding
  7. If you require consumer advice in relation to goods or services you have purchased, you can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service by phone on 0808 223 1133 or find advice online.