Becoming an employer

Employer’s liability insurance and workplace safety

If you employ a personal assistant (PA), you must have Employer’s Liability Insurance. This is a legal requirement. It protects you if your employee becomes ill or injured while working for you.

You can also choose to add cover for:

  • legal costs
  • employment tribunal fees

There are specialist insurance providers that offer policies for people employing personal assistants - search in your internet browser for personal assistant insurance, to compare options.

Keeping your employee safe

As an employer, you must make sure your PA has a safe place to work and knows how to carry out tasks safely. You should work together to agree on safe ways to do tasks and avoid risks.

This might include:

  • lifting equipment properly
  • training, such as a Food Hygiene Certificate if they prepare food
  • safe handling of medication

Skills for Care has helpful advice and training resources for individual employers.

Skills for Care