Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is a structured advice and support programme for individuals wanting to set themselves up offering care and support on a self-employed basis to people in Devon (or improve their existing enterprise). The focus is strongly on assisting individuals to work in a friendly, personalised but business-like way to offer a high quality, organised service.

Disability Focus is an independent, not-for-profit organisation who offer services that support people to live independently. A large proportion of this is done by supporting them with the management of their finances and/or their direct payments.

Simon Tickner is the Microprovider Project Worker for Devon and is employed by Disability Focus. Simon joined Disability Focus in March 2024 to continue the work he had previously undertaken with Community Catalysts.

His core passion, for many years, has been in supporting individuals to get the right support at times and in ways that suit them, and for them to be in control of how this happens. He believes strongly in a ‘plain English’ approach and is keen to make things happen for people whilst, if possible, avoiding excessive bureaucracy!

With almost 30 years’ of experience, Simon recognises many of the challenges that face the sector. He is committed to helping ensure that self-employed providers can provide quality services consistent with those of the regulated sector. This leads to greater choice for individuals and the right care for the right person.

The project is part of a 3-way partnership between this organisation, Community Catalysts and Devon County Council.

Community Catalysts specialise in supporting micro-enterprises to set up across the UK in different local authorities and ran the project in Devon from 2022-24. Simon has been the  project lead since Dec 2022.

Traditional models of care, e.g., residential homes, domiciliary care agencies, and enabling services work well for many individuals, but some people wish to plan and organise their own support (often known as ‘self-directed’ care), using either funding available to them or their own funds. Microproviders can offer a very personalised alternative to people who wish to receive their care differently. As part of their long-term strategy to provide a wide variety of services for people needing care, Devon County Council are supportive of the project.

In the care sector, PA (personal assistant) is a term that has been around for over 20 years. Individual PAs can classify as ‘employed’ or ‘self-employed’ but this status is always determined by HMRC and the way in which a person works.

In Devon, the term, PA, is routinely used in many cases but we use the term ‘microprovider’ deliberately to make it clear that the person is very much running their own business (even if they are just one person), that they are self-employed and they are responsible for their own tax liabilities.

The key areas that can be covered are:

• Compliance (CQC, HMRC etc)
• Insurance & DBS advice
• Best practice – planning with clients
• Contracting with clients
• Managing risks & safeguarding
• Essential policies
• Data protection
• Training
• Advertising
• Fees, finance & invoicing
• Links and local advice
• Contingency planning

Each area is covered to ensure that the microprovider is well-equipped and knowledgeable and can provide a high quality, legal and safe service. The extent to which each area is covered is dependent on the individual.

No, not exactly – although hopefully there will be some learning! It’s about advice and support to set up (or improve) your service. The programme is designed to ensure that people have all the tools to run their own micro care or support business whether their plan is to offer 3 hrs or 33 hrs per week ! The support is tailored to the kind of service you think you can provide.

People who have previously been through/completed the programme report that they feel:

• More confident.
• More professional.
• More organised, with processes in place for different situations and people.
• Happy that they are fully legal.
• That their clients are reassured.
• Happier handling different questions and situations (the “what if….” scenarios)

Typically, as the programme progresses, most microproviders will produce their own portfolio that they can share with people who require support and/ or their friends and families. This enables them to present themselves well to those they meet.

Initially, after a chat on the phone, Simon will often meet with you face to face to discuss your idea, talk about how you might go forwards with it, and whether your expectations will be met. Each person who is interested in setting up as a microprovider  will need different support depending on their background and experience. Sometimes people may just be seeking a little advice and not wishing to embark on the programme in full.

This can vary and depends on how much time you are able to commit to it. Typically, 4 or 5 meetings enables us to cover most areas. One face-to-face meeting is usually followed up with online meetings on Teams or Zoom afterwards. If you are already working or starting work with clients, this is fine, as long as you are working legally. We can work together to cover other areas as time progresses.

Any new business or enterprise can take time to get off the ground and develop a good reputation. Those microproviders who have succeeded previously have initially built a client base via advertising but very often, after that, it will be on reputation and word of mouth recommendations.

There are many people requiring care and support and who want to have choice and control of who provides their care and how they receive it. Microproviders who present themselves as professional, legal and  well-organised stand the best chance of offering that care and support.

Rates of pay can vary. You may need to be flexible with your pricing. Market rates will differ depending on current demand, existing local availability and geography. Like any business – it needs to be competitive in terms of price. This can be discussed as we progress through the programme.

We can’t accredit people as carers or enablers because we don’t observe you directly providing support. However, we aim to provide a confirmation that highlights the fact you have completed our programme and what this means. This can be shared with people you might support.

Those who have completed the programme often find it useful to network with peers and other microproviders. There can be benefits in terms of linking with others to offer support to an individual who needs I, but it can also be useful just to chat and share knowledge and ideas when you are not sure about something. Whilst unable to provide specific guidance about individuals, Simon can offer ongoing support with general social care queries should they arise.

You want to provide care and support because this is what you are good at. This doesn’t mean you need to be a computer wizard. However, as we move further into the 21^st century and a more digital world, all businesses (including care & support) are needing to embrace this to some degree, so it really helps to have enough knowledge to be able to do the basics. Having a device on which you can organise and edit documents is important. Feel free to ask specific questions about this.

There is no catch. Simon’s time is free but his availability will depend on his capacity at any given time. Like any business, setting up initially will most likely require some financial outlay to make sure you have everything in place. These costs need to be considered before the programme commences. There is a time commitment as well, but, with a little forward planning most people are able to weave this into their schedules. The programme is not right for everyone but following discussion of your initial enquiry, we can look at alternatives that may suit some people better.

Funding for the project comes from Disability Focus but also, in part, from Devon County Council. This in line with the local authority’s commitment to supporting individuals to have choice and control of self-directed care if this felt to provide the best outcomes for them.