Shared lives - pay question

TheTone79

Hello,

I have an inquiry regarding the 'Shared Lives' scheme in Telford. My wife is a carer in this program through the council, Shared Lives Telford.

Although Shared Lives carers are classified as self-employed by the council, they cannot set their own fees. Instead, the fee paid by the council is predetermined, and the hourly rate is below the UK minimum wage.

Could anyone please clarify whether this arrangement complies with legal standards for fair compensation? Any information or guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your assistance.

Marcon

TheTone79 said:

Hello,

I have an inquiry regarding the 'Shared Lives' scheme in Telford. My wife is a carer in this program through the council, Shared Lives Telford.

Although Shared Lives carers are classified as self-employed by the council, they cannot set their own fees. Instead, the fee paid by the council is predetermined, and the hourly rate is below the UK minimum wage.

Could anyone please clarify whether this arrangement complies with legal standards for fair compensation? Any information or guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your assistance.

Are you taking into account the beneficial tax arrangements agreed with HMRC?

OutdoorQueen

Shared Lives Plus might be better placed to answer you, although it is a member based organisation with a fee to join.  They provide support to carers.  

https://sharedlivesplus.org.uk/get-to-know-our-members/how-we-support-our-members/membership-benefits/advice-when-you-want-it/

Didn’t know if this helps?

https://startyoursharedlife.today/financial-information/

TheTone79

Thanks for your responses, appreciated. @Marcon - i have asked Telford council and they could not give me an answer.

@OutdoorQueen - I think its confusing as Shared lives in your links is a charity which has the same name as the sharedlives scheme run by Telford council.

Thanks anyway, my search for the answer will continue.

Marcon

TheTone79 said:

Thanks for your responses, appreciated. @Marcon - i have asked Telford council and they could not give me an answer.

@OutdoorQueen - I think its confusing as Shared lives in your links is a charity which has the same name as the sharedlives scheme run by Telford council.

Thanks anyway, my search for the answer will continue.

I think you need to go back to the council (or your wife does) and press them for an answer. They are running this scheme and saying they can't give you an answer isn't good enough. I appreciate your wife probably doesn't want to rock the boat, but a politely worded complaint - making it clear that really it's just an enquiry(!) - is perfectly reasonable: https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20384/complaints

Alternatively, has she spoken to her local councillor?

OutdoorQueen

TheTone79 said:

Thanks for your responses, appreciated. @Marcon - i have asked Telford council and they could not give me an answer.

@OutdoorQueen - I think its confusing as Shared lives in your links is a charity which has the same name as the sharedlives scheme run by Telford council.

Thanks anyway, my search for the answer will continue.

Most areas have a shared lives scheme.  I thought Shared Lives Plus was a national charity that Shared Lives Carers could join for support and information about different aspects of their role regardless of where they live.  You do have to pay a fee though to join.  Apologies if this is wrong.  

Reading this article, self employed people  don’t qualify for minimum wage as they are not classed as an employee: 

https://www.acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage-entitlement/who-gets-the-minimum-wage#:~:text=Anyone%20who%20is%20legally%20classed,part%20time

Marcon

OutdoorQueen said:

TheTone79 said:

Thanks for your responses, appreciated. @Marcon - i have asked Telford council and they could not give me an answer.

@OutdoorQueen - I think its confusing as Shared lives in your links is a charity which has the same name as the sharedlives scheme run by Telford council.

Thanks anyway, my search for the answer will continue.

Most areas have a shared lives scheme.  I thought Shared Lives Plus was a national charity that Shared Lives Carers could join for support and information about different aspects of their role regardless of where they live.  You do have to pay a fee though to join.  Apologies if this is wrong.  

Reading this article, self employed people  don’t qualify for minimum wage as they are not classed as an employee: 

https://www.acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage-entitlement/who-gets-the-minimum-wage#:~:text=Anyone%20who%20is%20legally%20classed,part%20time

As you say, self employed people aren't covered by minimum wage legislation, but normally they can set their own rate of pay (or at least try to!). OP's issue is that his wife is having a rate imposed on her which is below minimum wage and that doesn't feel like 'fair' compensation for the job she is doing, especially if she has none of the perks associated with being an employee eg pension scheme membership.

sheramber

Shared Lives  carers are paid allowances , similar arrangement as foster carers.

they also benefit from the special arrangements for paying tax as foster carers do.

A set amount is allowed on a no profit, no loss arrangement.

Is your wife claiming this allowance in her self assessment return?