About

TLC’s carer introduction forms the first phase of TLC’s planned roll-out. We have decided to start with this, because we believe it will provide more personalised care, be better for both clients and PA’s, and we will be able to help more people more quickly than by becoming a care-agency.

It will produce a revenue, which may in the future be able to fund the costs of becoming regulated by CQC and employing our own staff.

No, Carer introduction services are exempt from the requirement to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission, provided they observe the criteria for introduction agencies, as explained in the CQC guidance for providers “Ongoing direction or control of the service” Sep 2012. See the CQC Guidance tab for a link to this document, and an explanation of what a carer introduction service is allowed, and not allowed to do, in order to be CQC compliant. TLC ‘s carer introduction service is compliant within these guidelines.

No, personal assistants who provide personal care under the direction of their client, are exempt from the requirement to be regulated by CQC. See CQC Scope of Registration March 2015. Section 2 General Exemptions from Registration: “Where a person, or related third party on their behalf, makes their own arrangement for nursing care or personal care, and the nurse or carer works directly for them and under their control without an agency or employer involved in managing or directing the care provided, the nurse or carer does not need to register for that regulated activity”

It means that you will not be directly employing your P.A, so you will not carry the responsibilities of an employer: Insurance, paying Annual leave, sick leave, parental leave etc, pensions, national insurance and being tax and employment status compliant.
Instead, your P.A. will bear these costs, which is why you should expect to pay a bit more than their take-home wage would be if they were employed.

TLC is very aware of the need for clients and P.A’s to comply with employment legislation, which is why we will review your situation and care needs after three months, and help you to switch to an employment contract with your P.A, if this is indicated.