Managing care for yourself or a loved one through Self-Directed Support (SDS) offers flexibility and control, but it also comes with added responsibilities. Particularly if you opt for Option 1, where you take on the role of employer for your carers.

While this level of control can be rewarding, it also means handling payroll, taxes, pensions, and ensuring compliance with employment laws. These tasks can quickly become overwhelming, and that’s where professional payroll services can make all the difference. They can take all these worries off your mind, allowing you to focus on what really matters.

What is Self-Directed Support (SDS)?

Self-Directed Support (SDS) is a framework that allows individuals and families in Scotland to take control of their own care. Available to children, adults, and unpaid carers in need of social care services, SDS offers the flexibility to decide how care is provided. Working alongside a social worker, individuals create a personalised care plan and can choose from four options for managing their support:

• Option 1 (Direct Payment): You receive funding directly to arrange and manage your own care.
• Option 2 (Budget Management): You choose the support you need, but someone else arranges it for you.
• Option 3 (Local Authority Arranged): The local authority takes responsibility for choosing and managing your care.
• Option 4 (Combination): You manage some aspects of your care, while the local authority handles others.

The Responsibilities of an SDS Employer

Becoming an SDS employer means taking on the same legal responsibilities as hiring employees in any traditional role. As an SDS employer, you are responsible for:

• Tax and National Insurance: Calculating and deducting tax and National Insurance for your carers, and submitting these to HMRC.
• Pensions: Enrolling eligible carers into a workplace pension scheme and ensuring the required contributions are made.
• Payroll Compliance: Ensuring carers are paid on time and correctly, providing payslips, and staying compliant with employment laws.
• Record Keeping: Keeping accurate records of payments, deductions, and HMRC submissions.

Taking on payroll duties in addition to caregiving can create unnecessary stress, and we want to help.

How MMG Chartered Accountants Can Help

At MMG Chartered Accountants, we understand the challenges SDS employers face. Our payroll services are designed to take the burden of payroll off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Here’s how we can help:

Comprehensive Payroll Management

We manage all aspects of payroll, ensuring carers are paid on time, and tax and National Insurance contributions are calculated and submitted to HMRC.

Pensions Made Simple

For eligible carers, we take care of pension enrolment and contributions, ensuring full compliance with pension regulations.

BrightPay Online Portal

Our easy-to-use BrightPay Online Portal makes it easy for you to view payslips and reports. Carers can also access their payslips directly, making the process more convenient and clear for everyone.

Clear Reporting and HMRC Submissions

We ensure timely submissions to HMRC and provide clear payment summaries, so you can be confident your payroll is fully compliant, without the stress of managing it yourself.

Why Choose MMG?

We understand how challenging it can be to balance caring responsibilities with legal and financial tasks. Our aim is to make your life easier by handling the payroll side of things. By working with MMG, you can:

• Save time and reduce stress
• Ensure full compliance with legal obligations
• Focus on what truly matters

Being an SDS employer is a big responsibility, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let us take the stress out of payroll and give you one less thing to worry about. Contact us today at payroll@mmgca.co.uk to learn more.