Contingency planning
A contingency plan states what will happen if you are unable to support your client for any reason. This includes all planned and unplanned situations, including:
- holidays
- sickness
- emergencies
- transport problems
- bad weather
- any other leave
It is important to have a contingency plan in place before you start supporting your client.
If you are employed by the client
It is your client’s responsibility to ensure there is a contingency plan in place for when you may be sick or on holiday.
Your client may arrange for another PA, an agency, family member or friend to cover your hours. This is their choice.
Clients of Adult Social Care who receive direct payments will receive support to set up a Contingency Plan.
If you are delivering services on a self-employed basis
It is your responsibility to ensure there is a contingency plan in place for when you may be sick or on holiday. As a self-employed PA you have the unrestricted right to provide a substitute of your choice to complete the job in your place.
It is good practice to introduce any substitute to your client, to ensure they are aware of who may be turning up in your place.
What happens if nobody can cover?
If contingency plans fail and the client will be left without essential support, such as personal care or medication administration:
Phone Health and Social Care Connect on 0345 60 80 191.
This should be considered as a last resort.