Self-employed PAs

If you use the services of a self-employed PA you're not an employer. You need to check that your PA is self-employed. Self-employed arrangements are less secure than employed arrangements as there's no contract in place. More information about self-employed status can be found on the Gov.UK website and the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group's factsheet.

Self-employed PAs have no right to annual leave, statutory sick leave, paternity leave or maternity leave. 

You'll need to provide us with the PA's unique tax reference number and a copy of their public liability insurance. Check that they have business use listed on their car insurance. 

A self-employed PA should provide a contract of service detailing when they work and what support they'll provide. Look out for notice periods, charges for mileage and bank holiday payments. If you have any concerns or questions, get it checked out by your support workers. 

Self-employed PAs should provide invoices regularly either monthly or four weekly. Invoices should only include work completed.

We recommend asking to see a self-employed PA's DBS check, which they should provide themselves. These are mandatory if the PA is going to come into unsupervised contact with children. 

Some self-employed PAs will offer cover from another self-employed PA if they're unwell or take leave. This should be agreed with you in advance. 

In terms of training, self-employed PAs are responsible for paying for and arranging their own training. There may be funding available through Skills for Care for training costs. 

Some agencies will offer introductions to self-employed PAs. Sometimes it can appear that they're a care agency offering care services, when actually they're providing introductions to self-employed PAs and taking an admin fee for the introductions.