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Guidance Made Simple

Clear, practical information to help you understand Direct Payments, Micro Providers, Personal Assistants, your options, and more.

Not sure where to start?

Browse the sections below to find the information you need. Everything is in plain English.
Direct Payments
  • What is a Direct Payment?
  • What can it be used for?
  • What can't it be used for?
  • Managing your Direct Payment
Employment & Legal Basics
  • What is employment status?
  • Employed vs Self-Employed vs Casual
  • Your responsibilities
Personal Assistants
  • What is a PA?
  • Types of support they provide
  • How PAs work
Recruiting a PA
  • Writing a Job advert
  • Interview questions
  • What to look for
Micro Providers
  • What to check (DBS, insurance, etc)
  • Agreements and expectations
  • Substitution rules
Introductory Agencies
  • What they are
  • Risks to be aware of
  • Questions to ask
CQC & Compliance
  • When CQC registration is required
  • Why self-employed PAs usually aren't regulated
DBS Checks
  • What a DBS check is
  • Levels explained
  • Who is responsible
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