Direct payments guidance

If you decide to employ your own personal assistant to provide care services, you will have legal responsibilities as an employer under employment law. The Direct Payments Advisor can provide you with advice and support, but you must consider these important issues before deciding to employ your own staff. There are also several other organisations that can provide you with advice listed at the end of this section.

Disclosure and Barring Service

We would advise that you carry out appropriate checks before employing a personal assistant to provide personal care for you. This is mandatory for services provided to children and is completed by the Children & Young People's Department.