Employing your own staff

If you get a direct payment or are able to employ your own help you don’t have to use a care agency - you can employ your own staff.

This means that you can choose exactly who you want to help you, and can be a family or friend. However, it also means that some of the employer checks and safeguards, such as a criminal records check may not be done.

The links below will give you some more help and ideas about what your responsibilities are as an employer and how to go about employing staff but here are some straightforward suggestions that might help:

1. Decide what sort of person you would like to work with you and how many people you need

2. Prepare a list of tasks that you will want them to do and what skills they will need e.g. do you need someone who can drive, or someone who has had training in lifting and handling

3. Interview

If you can - always meet an applicant face-to-face.
You might find it useful to ask someone you trust to do this with you.
For security reasons it may be better not to have the interviews in your own home.
Ask applicants for details of experience, training and employment history. Make sure they have the skills your looking for.
Ask why they are interested in working for you

4. Always ask:

If the applicant has a criminal record
For at least two references including one from the applicants most recent employer
Always check on the references before offering anyone a job. It is often best to give the person writing the reference a telephone call to make sure they are who they say they are and to see what they have to say

More information

From autumn 2008, checks for people working with vulnerable adults will be available through the new Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Information about direct payments in Oxfordshire and nationally.
ACAS is an organisation which gives help and advice on a range of employment matters. Download the ACAS booklet: Recruitment and Induction (.pdf format and Employing people: a handbook for small firms (.pdf format)