Advice hub
The Independent Lives advice hub has all the information you need to get started and to manage your Direct Payment and to employ your own personal assistants.
Scroll through our informative advice articles or use the filter and search options to find the exact information that you need. If there is anything you can't find or you need clarification on anything then please don't hesitate to contact our advice team.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01903 219482 (option 3)
Filter topics
Advice topic
Advice type
Advice pack
Location
Introduction to the Direct Payment support service
Factsheet 1.0
This factsheet introduces what you will be required to do to employ a personal assistant using your Direct Payments.
Direct Payment bank accounts & financial record keeping
Factsheet 1.1
This factsheet explains what you need to know about managing your Direct Payment through a bank account as well as the financial record keeping you need to be aware of.
Preparing your employer budget
Factsheet 1.2
This factsheet will guide you through the process of drawing up a workable and affordable employer budget to suit your specific circumstance.
Employers liability insurance
Factsheet 1.3
This factsheet will explain everything you need to know about Employers’ Liability Insurance, what it is and when you do and don’t need it.
Payroll options
Factsheet 1.4
This factsheet explain what a payroll is, why it is important and the options you have to manage payroll for your employees.
Constructing a staff rota
Factsheet 1.5
This factsheet will help you to put together an effective and workable staff rota, enabling you to organise your personal assistance in a way which best support your lifestyle.
Working time regulations
Factsheet 1.6
This factsheet introduces working time regulations which govern the number of hours that your personal assistant can work as well as other employment rights including their right to paid annual leave.
Acting as an authorised person
Factsheet 1.7
This factsheet introduces the role of an ‘authorised person’ and how and when they can manage Direct Payments on someone’s behalf.
Writing a job description and person specification
Factsheet 2.1
This factsheet explains how to write job descriptions and persons specifications which will help you successfully recruit a personal assistant.
Writing recruitment adverts
Factsheet 2.2
This factsheet provides guidance on how to write an effective advert and the different advertising options that are available to you.