Terms and Conditions

This website is designed as a platform for the individual seeking support to register as an employer to find a Personal Assistant (PA) and also for registered PAs, who have completed the accreditation process, to find work. Any agreements entered into between the individual and the PA using the website is a joint responsibility of both parties.

Portsmouth City Council (PCC) does not directly employ the PAs and the local authority is not responsible for any agreements entered into between the individual and a PA. All PAs registered to the PA Noticeboard must either hold a valid DBS check (disclosure and barring services check) or agree to have one organised by PCC. For existing DBS checks, PCC will only review copies; it is the responsibility of the individual hiring the PA to verify the original DBS documentation once a job offer has been extended. DBS checks for employed PAs registered on the PA Noticeboard are funded by PCC as long as the service is for an adult. The PA will need to fund their own DBS check if the service is for a child. Self-employed PAs must cover the cost of the DBS themselves unless the service user has a Direct Payment under PCC.

It is a legal requirement for individuals directly employing PAs to provide an Employment Contract. If the PA is self-employed a Working Agreement can be drawn up. If you are at all unsure of your rights and responsibilities in respect of employing or working as a PA (either employed or self-employed), you are encouraged to seek independent advice on this.

PCC reserves the right to temporarily suspend or permanently remove any person from this service without notice if they breach the terms and conditions, the PA Code of Conduct and/or are involved in a safeguarding investigation.

PCC also reserves the right to investigate feedback of unprofessional/inappropriate behaviour, and if another statutory body has informed us of any concerns they have about a user of this service we may remove the individual from the service without notice or detailed explanation. We will inform you that you have been removed, in cases where it is appropriate we will tell you why you have been removed, but in some cases this will not be appropriate and we will not share this information.

PCC is not responsible for any agreements entered into from using this service, however we do have a duty to protect vulnerable adults and therefore if there is a concern that an individual is at risk we will take action to protect the individual without notice.

For PAs

Your name and preferred methods of contact details will only be visible to registered users of the site and will only be used by Individuals needing support to contact you regarding your suitability for their vacancy. By agreeing to appear on the PA Noticeboard you are agreeing that your application details will be available to all registered users.

You are expected to behave in accordance with the PA Code of Conduct at all times in any PA role you agree to. You must not divulge personal details of individual employers; this includes their name, where they live etc.

You will not contact other users of this service for any reason other than finding work.

You must respond to all communication received via the PA Noticeboard, provide updated insurance policies when expired and keep DBS certificates (reviewed every 3 years) and training (reviewed annually) up to date.

Failure to abide by the PA Code of Conduct or the terms and conditions as outlined upon accreditation will be viewed as a breach of the terms and conditions and your account may be suspended or permanently removed from the website.

For Individuals seeking support

Your name will only be visible to registered users of the site and will only be used by PAs to contact you regarding your vacancy. The information on a PA profile is to be used only for your own purposes and relevant to finding a PA. You will not divulge personal details of PAs to any other sources.

PCC strongly advises employers to request and check references before offering work. The PA Noticeboard accepts no responsibilities for the person employed. You will not contact the PAs referees until you have made a firm job offer to that PA and they have given you permission to do so.

We advise employers to contact the PA Noticeboard when a job offer is made so a DBS check can be carried out on the PA. Please note that DBS checks are mandatory when working with certain individuals including where children are present. If you are at all unsure as to whether you should undertake a DBS check, please seek independent advice.

It is the employers legal responsibility to carry out the appropriate Right to Work checks on every individual employed.

Reporting Concerns

The PA Noticeboard accepts no responsibilities for the person employed.

Should you have any concerns in relation to an individual registered on the PA Noticeboard you should report these using the contact details below:

Concerns for Adults:

Phone: 023 9268 0810 (out-of-hours: 0300 555 1373)

Email: AdultSafeguarding@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

 

Concerns for Children:

Phone: 023 9268 8793 (out-of-hours: 0300 555 1373)

Email: mash@portsmouthcc.gov.uk