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, invoices, cancellation and complaints policies.
  • 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 to go for business advice

You will find lots of business advice on our website: Business support in East Sussex.

East Sussex Growth Hub 

East Sussex Growth Hub is a free, independent business support service.

It offers free business advice if you are thinking of starting up a business or looking for ways to grow your business. Visit: East Sussex Growth Hub

Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Sussex 

The BIPC supports entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises in Sussex. It offers  network events, one-to-one expert advice and access to free online information.

For more information, visit: Business and Intellectual Property Centre

Legal advice

Free impartial legal advice is available from Business Companion.

Citizens Advice

If you need advice regarding a dispute you can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service

Phone 0808 223 1133 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Citizen's Advice consumer service

Trading Standards

Business advice is also available from Trading Standards.