Training
Brighton and Hove City Council can provide training for your Personal Assistants. Information on training courses available and how to access these can be found on the following link Brighton and Hove City Council's Workforce Development Programme April 2010-March 2011
There is an e-learning package available that can be used as an induction tool for new PAs. It can be done by the PA alone or together as a basis for induction/training. This FREE package has been developed by Kwango in collaboration with the Federation and other local colleagues including Skills for Care.There are also workshops available to you on being an employer. To find out more about this, please look at this index of employment workshops.
Permitted Work on Benefits and other useful related information
For accurate and up-to-date information on the above please log on to www.direct.gov.uk There you will find information on subjects such as Job Seekers Allowance, ESA, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you may be entitled to. In addition you can get advice and guidance on the National Minimum Wage, Tax, becoming Self Employed and National Insurance.There is also further information available on the Department of Work and Pensions website www.dwp.gov.uk
The Family Information Service
The Family Information Service runs an At Home Childcare Service, for more information contact Sian Bruce, at the Family Information Service. Tel: (01273) 293545 or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Information regarding Self Employed PAs
Important - HMRC may not consider a PA to be self-employed even if the PA has signed a contract for services and invoices for their work.
Risks involved are HMRC may chase employer for unpaid tax by employee; if a dispute happens between Employer and Employee then a Tribunal could see the role as an employed role. The advice given is for a DP client to check the HMRC website employment status tool to confirm whether the role is employed or self employed. It is not a choice for the PA to take the option of being self employed from HMRC point of view as the role has to fit the Status tool.
The DP user has to make a decision on the affect of changing the employment status of there PA will have on the overall DP support package.
If the DP user chooses to accept the risk after the signed off advice then that is there call and risk.
Insurance is required whether as a self employed PA or employed.
For more information please go to the HMRC page or look at our printable version above.
Useful Websites