What is an Individual Employer?
An Individual Employer is someone who hires and manages their own Personal Assistant (PA) to provide care and support. Instead of using a care agency, you employ a PA directly, which gives you more choice and control over who supports you and how your care is delivered.
This arrangement is often chosen by people who want:
- Flexibility in how and when support is provided.
- A consistent, trusted relationship with their PA.
- The ability to tailor care to their lifestyle and preferences.
When you become an Individual Employer, you take on the role of an employer in the same way any business would. This means following employment law, managing pay, and ensuring a safe working environment. While this may sound daunting, there is plenty of guidance and support available to help you succeed.
When you employ a Personal Assistant, you take on the same responsibilities as any other employer. These aren’t just legal requirements – they ensure your PA is treated fairly and help create a safe, positive working relationship. Understanding these responsibilities from the start will make managing your role easier and protect you from potential problems.
Your responsibilities
As an employer, you must:
- Recruit safely – write a job description, check references, carry out DBS checks.
- Follow employment law – treat people fairly and equally.
- Check right to work – ensure your PA has permission to work in the UK.
- Pay fairly and on time – at least the National Minimum Wage.
- Provide a written contract – include hours, pay, duties, holidays, notice period.
- Plan for cover – have a contingency plan for sickness or holidays.
- Keep your PA safe – carry out risk assessments, provide training and equipment.
- Keep accurate records – contracts, payslips, leave, sickness, insurance, HMRC payments.
Support available:
