Go Direct Sunderland are pleased to provide support, information and advice to people wishing to use their Direct Payment in a number of ways.
If you cannot find information about the type of support you require below then please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss any support requirements you may have.

Go Direct can provide support in a number of ways and tailor it to meet you individual requirements. Whether you want us to simply point you in the right direction or you need us to be there for moral and practical support through the entire process, we are happy to arrange the package that best suits your needs.

Employing a Personal Assistant

Assistance with recruitment and selection
You may need support to find and select the right person to become your Personal Assistant (PA), Go Direct can assist you to advertise for and interview potential PA’s and ensure you have all the information necessary to select the best person for the role. The support available covers the following topics:-

• Writing job descriptions.
• Advertising.
• Application forms.
• Interviewing.
• Avoiding discrimination during the recruitment process.

We will also provide sample application forms, job descriptions, interview questions etc should you require them Go Direct are happy to act as a point of contact for any applicants during the process to ensure that you are not required to give out your personal contact details to anyone if you do not wish.

Assistance with Inducting your new Personal Assistant

Once you have decided who to employ, Go Direct can support you to appoint that person into their new role, with all of the information they need to ensure their employment runs a smoothly as possible.
This includes ensuring that all of your legal requirements as an employer are fulfilled.

The support we offer includes.

• Making an offer of employment.
• Pre employment checks.
• Applying for references.
• Contracts of employment.
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Employers Liability insurance.
• Induction.
• Employment legislation in relation to the above subjects.

We will also provide sample employment contracts and reference requests etc should you require them.
Go Direct can also assist you to purchase suitable liability insurance to ensure you are meeting your legal requirements as an employer.

Assistance with Health and Safety and Risk Assessment

As an employer you will have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of your Personal Assistant.
Go Direct can help you to understand your legal responsibilities and duties and ensure that by following a few simple rules you ensure the safety and wellbeing of your Personal Assistant and yourself.

This support includes the following areas.

• Introduction to Health and safety.
• Employer’s responsibilities.
• Employee’s responsibilities.
• Completing risk assessment.

We will also provide sample risk assessment documents if required.

Managing staff and avoiding grievances

Go Direct can provide you with support to ensure you are aware of and understand how to manage your staff fairly and legally, By ensuring that you will be a responsible and fair employer you may be able to avoid any potential problems you might otherwise encounter.

The support we provide includes the following areas.

• Being a fair employer.
• Valuing diversity and avoiding discrimination.
• Supervision and appraisal.
• Giving the required rest breaks and holidays.
• Managing conflict and resolving disputes.

Payroll Service

Go Direct offers a comprehensive payroll service to people who use Direct Payments to employ Personal Assistants.
This includes.

• Providing advice on issues such as rates of pay, holiday and sickness pay, and redundancy.
• Setting up and operating a payroll service on your behalf.
• Producing payslips for your personal assistants.
• Maintaining all relevant records with the Inland Revenue.

Nominee agreements

In the event that you are unable or unwilling to receive a Direct Payment directly then Go Direct can act as a Nominee.
This means that we can receive the Direct Payment on your behalf into a dedicated bank account.
We will then use the money to pay for the services you receive, this can be in the form of an invoice or we can arrange to pay your Personal Assistants wages.
Please note, that in cases where we are paying your PA’s wages you will still be the legal employer, we will just hold the monies on your behalf and keep the relevant records.

Using a domiciliary care service.

Go Direct can assist you to find and select an agency that best suits your needs. We can then support you to arrange your services with them and pay for the services once they are delivered.
We will also assist you to resolve any problems that may occur whilst using the agency of your choosing.

Purchasing equipment.

Go Direct can assist you to decide what items you will need to buy, what you will need to consider, if you will need any specific expert advice, where you will purchase the items from and how you will maintain and repair the items once you have purchased them.
Go Direct can do this with you or provide you with the information to do it for yourself.

Organising activities (including arranging respite care)

Go Direct can assist you to locate suitable activities, community or respite facilities.
We will support you to contact individuals and organisations to plan, organise and pay for activities and services of your choosing.

Other support available includes.

• Keeping and maintaining appropriate records.

Go Direct acknowledge and respect each persons individuality and realise that each person wants to use their Direct Payment in a different way, and the amount of support required to get started and use Direct Payments varies from one person to the next.
Go Direct are happy to tailor their support and guidance to suit individual needs and circumstances.

Web Master Alec Redpath - Tuesday 16th March 2010