Purchasing your own support involves thinking about how to manage risks. These could include risks to your own safety, the safety of people who support you and others around you. The level of risks that you need to manage may vary depending on whether you employ staff yourself, use self-employed workers or an agency or organisation. The level of risk will also depend on the kind of activities that you receive support for. Different ways to manage risks include:
- Health and safety checks
- Risk assessments
- Standard and Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks
- References and 5-year histories
- Getting a second opinion
- Checking documents such as identification, certificates and qualifications
- Supervision for staff and probation periods for new staff
- Emergency staff cover.
You should also make sure that both you and your staff or provider have the right insurance, such as employers’ liability insurance and public liability insurance.
This factsheet contains suggestions for the different ways you can manage risks when you purchase your own support.
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