Social care: PAs and direct payments
You can receive money to pay for your social care in the form of direct payments.
As we’ve seen, there are several ways to receive money and arrange payments for social care It can be paid to you, a third-party organisation (DPSS) or someone close to you, such as a trusted family member.
With direct payments, you could have more control over your care
If you are arranging direct payments and you want a personal assistant (PA), there are several positives. You could make sure yourself that these care workers or PAs are able to:
- have a shift pattern that works for you, and be available when you need them
- understand and meet your care needs
- have a flexible attitude
- help you get to shops or social events
Managing PA payroll and administration: quick points
Using Direct Payment Support Services (DPSS)
In some areas, disabled adults (or their representatives) can ask another organisation to give advice and help with PAs: for example, employing PAs or using self-employed PAs. These organisations are known as direct payment support services (DPSS). It can cost money to use some of these services.
Employing a PA
Some disabled people hire their PAs directly and take on responsibilities as an employer. If you do this yourself (without a DPSS), you need to be aware that you will be responsible for their payroll: this will include sorting out tax contributions, pension entitlements, holiday pay and sick pay.
Self-employed PAs
Some disabled people use self-employed PAs. The PAs set their own terms and conditions and pay their own taxes.
Self-employed PAs won’t be able to work all the time. They receive no set entitlements to sick pay or holidays. They decide their own shift patterns in agreement with you, their client.
PAs from a care agency
Some people use direct payments to pay PAs or carers from a care agency.
Some care agencies take more time than others to understand the client. Before proceeding with a care agency or a PA they put forward, meet with them and make sure they understand your needs.
Pause before you start
Before you enter any written agreement or contract with a PA / carer or agency, you should make sure you agree on some key points. These include: PA work patterns and time off – breaks, sickness absence, holiday leave.
It is always recommended that you have in-depth conversations and interviews with your PAs before working with them.
There are pros and cons to employing PAs and to using self-employed PAs. To find out more about this, you can visit Skills for Care: Support for individual employers and PAs and the PA guide from Disability Rights UK