About to employ someone, how to do it?

HotPotato

So I'm looking at hiring a full time carer for my father. She'll be living in, and taking care of him, the usual sort of stuff.

We haven't fixed the salary yet, but she said she'd be "self employed" and that I would be paying her (for example) £450 per week, and my responsibility according to her ends there, from that she will pay her tax, NI and anything else that needs paying.

Is that correct? Is that how it works? I keep seeing ads saying that even if you employ only 1 person you have to offer a workplace pension... I don't even know how to offer a workplace pension!

I may have to work it backwards, but how do I go about ensuring that (for example) £450 goes out of my pocket and the correct contributions get paid?

theoretica

As the payer, I believe you are responsible for checking if she is really self employed. This seems a relevant starting point: https://www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/nannies
I believe the complication of organising everything may be one reason why umbrella companies exist.

Mojisola

HotPotato wrote: »

So I'm looking at hiring a full time carer for my father. She'll be living in, and taking care of him, the usual sort of stuff.

Is she really going to work 24/7/52?

kingfisherblue

If your father needs that level of care, consider a Social Services assessment. They might provide some funding towards care workers, but more importantly for you, they will help with the employment side of things. For example, you probably need insurance. You need to know about holiday entitlement. You need a contract. SS can advise on these and other matters.

dawyldthing

Mojisola wrote: »

Is she really going to work 24/7/52?

If they are I cant see them doing it for £450 before tax in all honesty as by the time tax, ni and stuff is taken off they will be lucky to get £320 a week. Id second going through social services to see if there are other options as it isn't much (especially when if someone lives in in supported living it can rack up to about £1500 plus when including sleep ins) and will be a lot for one person. A friend of mines other half does it and I'm sure they said they do one week on and one week off which seems more manageable but £450 for 24 hour care 7 days a week really isn't very much at all even if it includes meals etc

Podge52

My sister is employed as a live in carer. She work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Weekly salary is just under £600 per week. If the person being cared for has disturbed nights then you would need to employ a night carer as well.