Follow the step-by-step guides below for assistance on your Direct Payment and employing a Personal Assistant.
There is also guidance on the different types of Direct Payments and accessible information.
If you require any of our fact sheets in large print format, please email our Information & Advice team at: [email protected]
This section contains resources that will introduce you to the basics of Direct Payment management. Including: employing staff, preparing a budget, employers liability insurance and payroll. Read more
Looking to recruit a new Personal Assistant? These resources will assist you through every aspect of the recruitment process. From writing a job description all the way through to the interview stage. Read more
Now that you’ve found the perfect candidate, you’ll need to offer them a job! These resources cover job offers, holiday pay, references, timesheets and how to manage your employees’ holiday and sickness. Read more
After you’ve offered the job, it’s time to get your new PA started in their role. This section covers Tax and National Insurance, ensuring your PA is able to work in the UK, risk assessments, contracts, induction and pension information. Read more
Part of being a good employer involves ensuring that your staff feel they’re being managed effectively. This includes being able to resolve problems, carrying out effective supervision and disciplinary procedures when necessary. This section covers all these aspects of employment. Read more
There will come a time when the employment of your Personal Assistant will come to an end. This could be due to a variety of reasons, but whatever the reason, it’s important their dismissal is handled appropriately. This section covers how to end your PAs employment. Read more
This section contains a plethora of information on several different topics that weren’t covered in the previous sections. Including self-employment, employing children and young people, volunteers, poaching, and much more. Read more
If you're considering employing personal assistants using your direct payment, then our handy video guide is the best place to start. In less than 15 minutes, this short video will explain the key roles and responsibilities of becoming an employer using a direct payment. Read more
Disability Related Expenses (DREs) are any extra costs linked to any disability you have. This page outlines the categories of DREs, how to calculate them, evidence needed for DREs and how the DRE assessment works. Read more
Easy Read guides about Direct Payments, Personal Health Budgets, Individual Service Funds and Education, Health & Care Plans. Read more
This page contains information on educational health and care plans (EHCPs). This page explains who they are for, how to know if your child is eligible and how they work. Read more
An Individual Service Fund (ISF) is where you choose a provider, rather than the council or yourself, to manage your personal budget. This page contains additional information on ISF's. Read more
Over the years, we've compiled an extensive number of our Information Sheets. Unlike our factsheets, these are all short documents – most are no more than two sides of A4 – containing useful information on a variety of topics. Read more
Just recruited a new PA? This section contains all the Guidance you need to follow and all of the new starter documents you need to complete (excluding payroll and DBS information). Including job contracts, references and induction information. Read more
We have created a PA Welcome Pack which includes some suggested resources for you to assist with making your new PAs feel welcome in their new role and hopefully aid in staff retention. Read more
New to Personal Budgets? This page explains where the money comes from, what it is used for, how the support gets agreed and why you receive the money. Read more
New to Personal Health Budgets? This page explains what they are, now to find out if you (or someone you care for is) eligible for one and what they can be used for. Read more
This page answers any questions you may have around pre-paid cards as a Direct Payment recipient. Read more