EnhamDirect. Spring/Summer edition 2013
The newsletter for Direct Payment clients in the Leicester region
‘Bedroom Tax’ – Does This Affect You? More than 600,000 tenants receiving housing benefit may be worse off by around £700 a year due to the new ‘bedroom tax’ which came into effect in April. This Under-occupation Penalty is one of the government’s policies to bring the £23 billion housing benefit bill under control.
Pensioners are exempt. Everyone else, including people with disabilities, who face hardship, may apply to their local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment. But this is NOT guaranteed and may only be short term. In summary, the options are:
Working-age households in social housing on housing benefit who have spare bedrooms will receive less money. U nder-occupation by one spare bedroom will incur a 14% reduction. U nder-occupation by 2 spare bedrooms will see a 25% reduction. This means on average many low income households may have to find an extra £700 a year.
To pay. To apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. To move to a property with fewer bedrooms. There has been widespread criticism of the changes. Charities have warned that it will unfairly penalise vulnerable people. Not Not everyone is in a position to move, and there is a shortage of small properties.
Us d e
INSIDE: 2
National Volunteers’ Week 5
Training 2013 2
Client Focus: Christopher 6
Changes to Your Payroll Service and Managed Accounts
Direct Payments 6
Meet the Team
3
Real Time Information 4 New Pension information for Employers 4 “Brilliant Service,” says Somerset Client 5
LCC Training for Carers 7 University of Leicester Research for Users and Carers 8 Care Bill Stresses Need for Preventative Services
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1
Enham Trust would like to introduce you to its Leicester Direct Payments staff members… The Team
Irene Chand Manager
Rashika Nathwani Advisor
Michelle Goodchild Advisor
Manoj Joshi Advisor
Hitesh Parmar Bank Advisor
m: 07545 503437
m: 07545 503439
m: 07545 503434
m: 07545 503435
m: 07545 503436
t: 0116 261 0468 f: 0116 258 2510 e: direct-payments.leics@enham.org.uk w: www.enham.org.uk/directpayments
Nazia Mukadam Finance
Enham Direct Payments Support Service, Unit E3, Entrance D, Leicester Business Centre, 111 Ross Walk, Leicester LE4 5HH Enham’s Leicester Direct Payments Support Worker Service is available Monday-Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm Our telephone lines are open for out-of-hours support.
Visitors are welcomed to the Enham Leicester Direct Payment office with prior arrangement with staff.
Please make sure you report to reception to obtain a parking permit before parking in visitors’ spaces.
Training Dates 2013 We are holding basic level Training for Personal Assistants and employers to ensure that they are able to perform their duties effectively. All courses are free and are held locally in the Leicester area.
To reserve your place on the appropriate course and to confirm venue details, please telephone our Leicester Office on 0116 261 0468. Places are limited so do book early.
DATE
time
topic
29/05/13
10.00am–12.00pm, EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES How to be a good employer; Performance Lunch is provided management; Keeping it professional; Employment tribunal
Employers
13.00am-15.00pm
All
PAYROLL The process and changes; Questions & Answers
suitable for
16/06/13
10.30am–12.30pm CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR / COMMUNICATION
All
17/07/13
10.30am–12.30pm FOOD HYGIENE / HAND HYGIENE
All
31/07/13
10.30am–12.30pm ADULT ABUSE TRAINING / SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
All
25/09/13
10.30am–12.30pm HEALTH AND SAFETY – FIRE AND COSHH – RISK ASSESSMENT
Carers, Employers and PAs
23/10/13
10.30am–12.30pm FIRST AID
13/11/13
10.30am–12.30pm MOVING AND HANDLING
2 EnhamDirect. Spring/Summer 2013 edition.
Carers, Employers and PAs
Training Needs If you have identified a Training need that is not on our scheduled please do not hesitate to contact us. We maybe able to add your requests to the schedule at a later date or signpost you to a provider that will be able to assist you. We can also signpost you to providers’ that deliver NVQs in Social Care. Other Free Training The Workforce Development Team is running free training courses for carers and employers
Changes to Your Payroll Service and Managed Accounts As of 1 April 2013 our payroll and managed accounts services will be processed from our head office in Andover. The procedure for your payroll will change slightly, however these changes will ensure that you are compliant with the processes from Leicester City Council. We also believe that these changes will make it easier for you to submit your timesheets and know exactly when your Personal Assistant (PA) will be paid. All payrolls run must be accompanied by a signed timesheet or an email from you. No payrolls will be processed without timesheet as well as in advance. To ensure we receive your timesheet in time for processing there will be changes to pay dates. This will be in effect from 1 August 2013.
e.g. Person-centred Planning and Communication courses. For more information and to book a place, telephone 0116 221 1700 or visit www.leicester.gov.uk/learningtimes. HMRC – Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs – also offer free Inland Revenue Courses to help with your tax submissions and other related topics. To find out more or to book, telephone 0845 603 2691. Alternatively, telephone Enham on 0116 261 0468 and the team will assist you.
For example, if the 4 week period is 1-28 April, timesheets should be received in the Payroll Office by 1 May, payday will be 10 May. Timesheets should be received in the Andover Payroll Office by Wednesday following the end of the pay period to ensure your PA’s receive their pay by the following Friday. Late timesheets could mean that your PA’s pay will be delayed. Post or email timesheets to either our Leicester office (details on page 2), or the head office in Andover (Enham Direct Payments Team, Enham, Enham Place, Enham Alamein, Andover SP11 6JS; email: directpayments@enham.org.uk). If you drop your timesheets into the Leicester office these will be sent to the Andover office on your behalf. To help you to understand the changes to payroll and answer any queries we have arranged a few training dates, detailed in the table below. Please book in advance and please contact Nazia Mukadam on 0116 2610468 for any queries, concerns or booking any training.
PAyroll Training: DATE
time
29/05/13
10.00am–12.00pm, EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES How to be a good employer; Performance Lunch is provided management; Keeping it professional; Employment tribunal
Employers
13.00am-15.00pm
PAYROLL The process and changes; Questions & Answers
All
All day
PAYROLL OPEN DAY
All
21/06/13
topic
suitable for
| Leicester
3
Real Time Information
New Pension information for Employers
You will have heard by now that HM Revenue & Customs has introduced a new reporting system for employers effective 6 April 2013.
As the population is living longer and the financial burden of benefits (state pension) increases the Government has made the decision to ensure more people are saving for their retirement and so help to support themselves after they finish work.
1
What is Real Time information (RTI)?
RTI is a new system for reporting pay, tax, National Insurance and employee details to HMRC. Rather than submit these details at the end of the tax year through a P35/P14 return, a RTI submission is sent to HMRC every time a payment is made to the employee. HMRC requires that the submission is received by them on or before the payday. Late submissions will incur penalties. 2
What you will need to do as an employer.
Ensure that all timesheets/hours/adjustments have been received in the Payroll Office by the cut-off date given to you. This will enable the Payroll Team to prepare your payroll, send you your payroll documents and submit your RTI submission on or before the payday. Due to the strict reporting deadlines imposed by HMRC, timesheets/hours received after the cut-off date/ normal pay date will have to be processed for the next pay period.
So in October 2012 the Government brought in new Pension regulations known as ‘Auto Enrolment’. This means all employers must offer a pension to their staff. Enrolment is being spread over the next 4 years. An employer must offer enrolment in a pension scheme for their staff if they are: Aged between 22 and state pension age. Earn over £8,105 per annum. Work in the UK.
The ‘Staging Date’, when the company has to enrol the staff to join the pension scheme, is dependant on the number of staff employed. Starting in October 2012, for large companies. Small employers with less than 50 employees, their staging date starts Spring/Summer 2015 onwards and could be as late as November 2016. s an employer you will receive a letter telling A you when your start date will be. mployer’s minimum contribution starts at 1% E and rises to 3% by 2018. mployees do have a choice and can opt out if E they wish but a scheme must be offered.
If you have any questions regarding RTI please contact the Payroll Office.
4 EnhamDirect. Spring/Summer 2013 edition.
Direct payment users will not be affected by this until 2015 and we will keep you updated in future issues of this newsletter.
“Brilliant Service,” says Somerset Client
National Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June
Nuala has been using Enham’s Somerset Payroll Service for the past year, and has nothing but praise for the efficiency and friendliness of the team.
Our volunteers in our Direct Payments office in Leicester have been extremely active in the support they offer both staff and clients each and every day. We have recently recruited new volunteers to our service, who have blended in with existing staff and volunteers. We respect and support Individuals who come to us for a variety of reasons. From keeping people active, utilising their skills and knowledge whilst seeking employment or undertaking a college course, regaining their administration expertise, individuals know that by volunteering for Enham, they truly are making a difference in supporting people in their lives.
Her 25 year old daughter Christina, who is on the autistic spectrum and has learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, receives Direct Payments and employs two Personal Assistants. Her husband Graham is currently waiting for a major operation. Nuala herself has severe ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Having previously run a wages department for a national supermarket chain she’s extremely organised, but her illness leaves her needing support.
Nothing is too much trouble. The wage slips arrive on time. Employing someone can be daunting. Enham’s specialist Payroll Service has taken on the burden of sorting wages, national insurance and tax. It has given Nuala peace of mind to be sure she pays Christina’s support workers correctly. “They are superb. Nothing is too much trouble,” says Nuala. “The wages slips arrive on time. The one time they got delayed in the post, Enham sent duplicates immediately.” Her previous provider had caused her huge problems, and stress. “It was always an answerphone. Messages weren’t picked up. Wage slips were late and mistakes were made,” explains Nuala. “In the end I had to ring the Inland Revenue and say it wasn’t my fault that tax was late.” By contrast Enham has proved efficient and timely. “All the advisors have such a great attitude. We can have a laugh, and everyone is equally helpful. Any queries such as checking the thresholds for NI and tax are answered quickly. It’s superb!” says Nuala. All of which has made life in a household coping with many challenges just that bit easier.
Photograph, from left: Shobhna Patel, Priya Gadre, Ketan Mistry and Tahir Khatri.
“The support that all our volunteers offer to staff, clients and other volunteers within the Leicester office is second to none and I am really proud to hear and see the positive changes that each and every individual has undertaken. Our service has benefitted greatly from the invaluable support that volunteers offer individuals that they have helped to support. Not only have they gained or enhanced existing skills, but they have also assisted within the office environment and have become a real asset to Enham.”
Thank you!
Volunteer Programme Manager Jo Young.
It has been a great experience helping out the charity to move forward. I have learnt a lot of different skills on the way as well, including payroll. Volunteer Ketan Mistry. | Leicester
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Christopher’s story by Christopher’s mother
Client focus: chri
stopher
It’s the Anniversary of first year of direct payments for my son, Christopher. It’s the best thing that’s happened to him because he now gets the same two PAs looking after him everyday whereas previously he had different PAs all the time. Autistic people need routine and familiar faces and they hate change so this has proved to be a great thing with direct payments. Direct Payments gives us flexibility with the hours the PAs can provide for Christopher. For example, it is possible for PAs to start later or earlier and therefore can use their services as we wish. I highly recommend it! Overall, I’m very happy with the support which we have received from Enham and we are continuing to receive regarding help with payroll, financial returns and any other enquires for Christopher. Direct Payments Expenses: If you are claiming expenses, please ensure that all receipts are entered on the expense forms and are sent in every 4 weeks in order to make correct payment. If claims are not sent in regularly this could result in non payment and any surplus on your account will be returned to LCC. Expenses that have not been agreed on your support plan will not be paid unless authorised by the Social Worker in writing. All future expenses will now be processed by head office. You can continue to submit your details at Leicester Direct payment office which will be forwarded to the head office.
Contracts of Employment for the Personal Assistants: If you have employed a Personal Assistant for your care you have a legal obligation to ensure they have a contract in place. If you are in any doubt please contact your advisor to assist you. Insurance Renewals: For managed accounts, please forward insurance renewals to Enham. Enham will pay for these. If you manage your own account please ensure you renew your insurance by making a payment to the insurance company. You are legally obliged to have employers liability insurance for any claims that may occur. Contributions: You may be required to make a financial contribution towards the cost of your direct payments. The ‘Fairer Charging Policy’ will determine the amount of financial contribution you will need to make based on your income and expenditure. A notification of your assessment will be sent by Leicester City Council. Where a financial contribution applies, you will need to make regular payments by setting up a standing order. This can be done either weekly or four weekly, whichever is convenient for you. Please contact your advisor as a matter urgency if you are experiencing difficulties in paying your Contribution.
Financial Return: If you need help to complete Financial Returns please ensure you have all the relevant documents ready before an appointment is made with your advisor.
Note: LCC will only pay the net amount of your DP. Non payment will result in insufficient funds to process payroll or to pay your agency which could affect your care.
6 EnhamDirect. Spring/Summer 2013 edition.
Leicester City Council Training for Carers Book places now
Protecting Your Back Workshop for Carers Wednesday 19th June 2013 10.30am to 12.30pm Health and Safety Advisor, Neil Smith will be showing and discussing the DVD ‘A Carers Guide to Safer Moving and Handling of People’. Following the DVD, there will be discussion and general guidance on safe moving and handling of the person you care for. You will learn about: How to carry out moving and handling tasks safely. How to reduce the risk of injury to yourself or the person you care for, or damage to equipment or property.
16 places only To book a place, contact Jo Burke on 0116 252 6968 Venue for training: Training room 5, 7th Floor, A Block, New Walk Centre, Welford Place, LE1 6ZG
| Leicester
7
in the news
University of Leicester Research for Users and Carers of People Over 85
JOIN A The University of Leicester is conducting a national study looking at the rise in unplanned DISCUSSion hospital admissions in people aged 85+. Swindon is one of six case-study sites. The university wants the views of those that represent service users and carers and is inviting local people to take part in a focus group discussion in Swindon on 11 or 12 June.
FOCUS GROUP
local people – including carers. For example, research has shown that improving housing conditions can reduce mental health problems, and good quality social care can significantly reduce the need for hospital admissions.
The university team emphasise that they want to recruit user and carer representatives – people who sit on local groups or forums to represent the views of older people – rather than direct service users and carers. People taking part in the focus group will receive £20 in recognition of their time and expenses. Contacts for further information – Principal Investigator: Professor Andy Wilson, email aw7@le.ac.uk or telephone 0116 252 5417. Researcher: Kay Phelps, email kp14@le.ac.uk or telephone 0116 252 5435/3198.
Enham agree with Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive for Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), who says:
This is a very welcome and important Bill. It will strengthen the sector’s responsibilities and capacity to improve care for people who use services and their carers. In particular, SCIE welcomes the new emphasis on: care that prevents crises developing; the assessment of children’s needs to help them with the transition to adults’ services; and safeguarding adults.
Care Bill Stresses Need for Preventative Services The Care Bill 2013-14 aims to reform the laws relating to care and support for adults, support for carers, and include provision for safeguarding adults from abuse or neglect. The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 9 May 2013, and was published on 10 May 2013. Under the Bill, local authorities will be required to provide or arrange services which can prevent or delay the need for more intensive care for all
The Bill will now be discussed further in the Houses of Parliament before legislation is introduced.
Enham now uses a font called FSMe in all its publications. It was developed with people with a learning disability, and is designed to be easy to read. Enham Registered Charity No. 211235. Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales No. 173199. © Copyright Enham 2013. 97-038.