SIL Services
Since January 2015, Suffolk Independent Living has created tailor-made support packages for Direct Payment recipients in Suffolk. We understand that everyone is different, and so we strive to offer advice and services that enable people to make the right choices for themselves, their families and carers, rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We seek to encourage our service users, as far as possible, to take control of their own lives and achieve their desired outcomes.
You can choose your preferred method of communication with us (phone, email, text message etc) and the format in which you would like to receive information (e.g. large print or audio).
The information about our packages can be found by clicking the buttons below:
Employment Package
This provides support with employment set-up and ongoing employment matters, plus a payroll service.
Full employment set up; including advice on how much you can afford to pay your worker; set-up of your own PAYE scheme and then acting as your agent with HMRC; registering your workers with HMRC; providing all legal employment documentation and information regarding employer's liability insurance; requesting references and support with Disclosure and Barring Service forms. We will also provide a full on going payroll service, including four-weekly wage slips, holiday, sickness and other statutory entitlements, end-of-year information and close the payroll when the worker leaves. We can also provide you with employee management support, including employment law advice, changes to contracts, disciplinary issues and sending out replacement timesheets etc. The support will be provided over the phone, email and our website but you may also access 1 visit per year from a SIL adviser (up to an hour in length) if required. Additional visits are charged separately.
Employment and Recruitment Package
This provides the same as the Employment Package, plus recruitment support up to three times per year.
Everything that is included in the Employment package, plus support to recruit your own worker(s) up to three times for year, including writing your own job descriptions, placing advert in local media, corresponding with applicants, shortlisting and arranging of interviews. We will also inform unsuccessful candidates, as well as keeping records of the recruitment and employment documentation.
Employment and Recruitment Plus Package
The full, personalised support.
Everything included in the Employment and Recruitment Support Package, plus face-to-face support with up to four home visits per year. All support and advice is provided by your own dedicated adviser, who will also provide you with bi-monthly courtesy calls to check everything is running smoothly. We will also liaise with Suffolk County Council on your behalf, as required.
Holding Account
Options for holding your Direct Payment.
We will set up a holding account to receive your Direct Payment money from Suffolk County Council which is personal to you. We will then make payments as requested by you and maintain records of what comes in and what you spend your money on. So you can maintain control of your Direct Payment, we will send you four-weekly statements detailing what you have spent and what you have left in your account. This account can be linked to a payroll service and will enable us to make payments directly to your workers and HMRC. We will also liaise with Suffolk County Council with respect to your Direct Payments monitoring as requested.
Assisted Account
Options for holding your Direct Payment.
This account is for Direct Payment recipients who do not employ their own workers. As with the Holding Account, we will set up an account to receive your Direct Payment money from Suffolk County Council, and make payments at your request.
However, we will also alert you if your account balance falls below an amount agreed by you with the support of your allocated adviser, who will also be available to offer support and advice with respect to using the account. We will provide information to Suffolk County Council in order to satisfy their monitoring requirements as and when requested.
Direct Payment Advice Line
This is a standalone service, for people who do not currently employ.
This is a telephone based service, which provides up to 10 hours of telephone advice and support on all aspects of using a Direct Payment, other than employment. We have specific packages that offer support and advice for employers.
This service is ideal if you need occasional advice on using your Direct Payment to use an agency or maintaining your own Direct Payment back account. The advice line can be used alongside one of the two account options we offer.
Support Planning
Supporting you to take control of your support
At Suffolk Independent Living, we have extensive knowledge and experience of writing Support Plans for customers. Our process focuses on giving customers the choice over their care, and we believe this starts by allowing the customer a chance to choose their Support Plan provider.
We are skilled in providing Support Plans for customers who are funded by Suffolk County Council or the NHS, and we will speak to the customer about how best they would like their plan completed – whether this is through visits, emails or over the phone.
If you have any queries about Support Planning or if you would like to discuss how we can get involved, please contact us.
