In our Support With Confidence listings, we include information about the type of Employment status under which each provider is paid. In most cases you'll be paying invoices in just the same way that you normally pay for other goods or services, but there can be important implications in the type of provider you choose, if you decide to become an employer.
What the terms mean
Business
When you use a provider listed as a Business, you'll most likely be paying for services provided by the hour, by the job, whether on a regular basis or not. You simply pay the bills as they come in and have no responsibility for the sick pay, holidays or national insurance payments of the people who come to work for you. These are taken care of by the business which employs them.
Self employed
If your provider is listed as self–employed, then as for a Business, they are responsible for their own tax affairs, holidays and so on. Again, you simply pay the bills as and when needed.
Employed
If your provider is listed as Employed, this makes a significant difference to your relationship with them and your own personal responsibilities. Here, as your employee they depend on you for a proportion of their regular income, and will be entitled to sick pay, holidays and a notice period for example. For tax and insurance purposes, it's very important that you are properly informed, and follow the correct procedures with regards to HMRC.
Please note: the 'Employment status' shown for each of the providers in our database is not necessarily set in stone. In practice, it is the support you need, when you need it, and how you pay for it, that determines whether you can engage a provider on a self-employed basis, or become their employer.
Enquiries
East Sussex County Council