What should you consider as a self employed PA?
You will need to consider the following if you want to deliver your PA services on a self employed basis:
- Organising and paying for any training you need to deliver your services
- Organising your own DBS check
- Having business paperwork in place, such as contracts, terms and conditions, cancellation and complaints policies, and invoices
- Registering with HMRC for tax purposes
- Having appropriate insurance cover (public liability and motor insurance)
- Setting your fees.
- Providing any equipment you may need to do your job.
- Organising cover when you are sick or go on holiday.
- Advertising your PA services.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
You can’t legally apply for your own DBS check if you are self-employed PA, as you can’t assess your own suitability for a job. There are a few options that may be available to you:
- Apply for a basic DBS check to get a copy of your criminal record. This is called ‘basic disclosure’ and costs £18.
- Register with an employment agency that can apply for a check to assess your suitability to work for them.
- Access an enhanced DBS check through external organisations that offer this service (this may be subject to a fee and becoming a member of that organisation).
For more information, please contact the Disclosure and Barring Service - GOV.UK.
Where can you go for business advice?
You will find a wealth of business advice on the following pages: Business support in East Sussex
The Business East Sussex Growth Hub
The Business East Sussex Growth Hub is a free, independent, and publicly funded business support service for businesses across East Sussex.
For free business advice if you are thinking of starting up a business or looking for ways to grow your business, contact the Business East Sussex Growth Hub
Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Sussex
The Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Sussex is part of the British Library’s National Network of BIPCs across the UK.
In East Sussex, BIPC Locals at Eastbourne Library and Hastings Library, support entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises in Sussex. Offering network events, 121 expert advice and access to a wealth of free online information - business databases, market research reports, company data and information on intellectual property.
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/businessinformation
Business Companion
Free impartial legal advice is available from Business Companion.
Citizens Advice
If you need advice with regards to a dispute you can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on 0808 223 1133, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Or visit: Consumer Service
Trading Standards
Business advice is also available from our Trading Standards Service