Information for Social Work and Local Authority Professionals
We are very keen to supply our services to Local Authorities and Direct Payment/SDS Services and are always happy to have a chat and discuss how we may be able to help new clients. We currently work with clients and support staff in many local authority areas throughout Scotland including, Fife, Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Dundee, Angus, Perth, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Highlands and Ayrshire - our client base is continually growing with new clients coming on board every month. We are also very proud to say that most of these new clients come to us through recommendations from other service users and support staff - the best indication to us that we are doing a good job! Indeed, our services are proven to benefit both the service users AND council departments.
Our Role
We understand that the provision of a Direct Payment as a method of Self Directed Support is to help people have a choice as to how they receive care and from whom, whether that be via an agency or employing their own staff. There are many people who may be able to cope with managing these services, but there are aspects of payroll which can be very daunting to someone who has not had experience of this before, including the prospect of dealing with HM Revenue & Customs. These factors should not dissuade someone from choosing a less appropriate method of care simply because they aren't confident with calculating payroll so for many service users an appropriate middle ground is the use of a payroll provider.
Additionally, we offer users a full payment service. Whilst this could be considered to some extent contra to the ethos of a Direct Payment and self management, in many cases it contributes to a more consistent service for either staff or care agencies, as well as local authority support staff. Many care agencies rely on regular payments to continue providing their services, and some may charge for late payment. More directly, staff who are not paid on time may be more reluctant to continue with an employer. The BACS payment service as provided by Quill means that we can offer quick and efficient, regular payments providing the consistency to keep everything running smoothly.
Benefits
Correct Calculation - Using a payroll provider for the calculation of wages ensures that everything is calculated correctly. It can be difficult for someone who has no prior knowledge of payroll to ensure that the correct deductions are made from employees and when something out of the ordinary arises e.g. calculating Statutory Maternity or Sick Pay it can become even more tricky! Quill Accounts uses fully HMRC accredited payroll software ensuring that all wages and deductions are calculated correctly and on time. This is becoming more and more important with the introduction of Real Time Information (RTI) meaning that returns need to be filed correctly to HMRC at every pay period.
Financial monitoring - Based on feedback we have received, the fact that we keep comprehensive records of all payments received and made means we have a current balance of funds available immediately. We are also able to supply records of invoices paid along with all payroll records to ensure the funding has been used correctly and is also sufficient to cover the costs of the care being provided. We make all payments by BACS where possible, or by cheque if required - there can be no 'cash withdrawals'.
Peace of mind - Using Quill eliminates the possibility of misuse of the funds provided. Unfortunately people who are entrusted to manage funding do not always use those funds correctly. Service users, or family members responsible for large sums of money can be tempted to use or borrow from the funds to aid their own personal financial situation. Whilst retraction of funding is an option, using Quill Accounts as a third party manager removes the opportunity to misappropriate funding, whilst still enabling the user to keep using the most appropriate care service for them.
Whilst we offer a range of working methods, our service is very much bespoke to each individual client, and can be adjusted to suit the requirements of any provider, whether on a small or larger scale. We would be keen to discuss our services with any support service or individual and would be happy to meet to see how we can help.
Please contact us if you would like more information on the above services.
We are very keen to supply our services to Local Authorities and Direct Payment/SDS Services and are always happy to have a chat and discuss how we may be able to help new clients. We currently work with clients and support staff in many local authority areas throughout Scotland including, Fife, Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Dundee, Angus, Perth, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Highlands and Ayrshire - our client base is continually growing with new clients coming on board every month. We are also very proud to say that most of these new clients come to us through recommendations from other service users and support staff - the best indication to us that we are doing a good job! Indeed, our services are proven to benefit both the service users AND council departments.
Our Role
We understand that the provision of a Direct Payment as a method of Self Directed Support is to help people have a choice as to how they receive care and from whom, whether that be via an agency or employing their own staff. There are many people who may be able to cope with managing these services, but there are aspects of payroll which can be very daunting to someone who has not had experience of this before, including the prospect of dealing with HM Revenue & Customs. These factors should not dissuade someone from choosing a less appropriate method of care simply because they aren't confident with calculating payroll so for many service users an appropriate middle ground is the use of a payroll provider.
Additionally, we offer users a full payment service. Whilst this could be considered to some extent contra to the ethos of a Direct Payment and self management, in many cases it contributes to a more consistent service for either staff or care agencies, as well as local authority support staff. Many care agencies rely on regular payments to continue providing their services, and some may charge for late payment. More directly, staff who are not paid on time may be more reluctant to continue with an employer. The BACS payment service as provided by Quill means that we can offer quick and efficient, regular payments providing the consistency to keep everything running smoothly.
Benefits
Correct Calculation - Using a payroll provider for the calculation of wages ensures that everything is calculated correctly. It can be difficult for someone who has no prior knowledge of payroll to ensure that the correct deductions are made from employees and when something out of the ordinary arises e.g. calculating Statutory Maternity or Sick Pay it can become even more tricky! Quill Accounts uses fully HMRC accredited payroll software ensuring that all wages and deductions are calculated correctly and on time. This is becoming more and more important with the introduction of Real Time Information (RTI) meaning that returns need to be filed correctly to HMRC at every pay period.
Financial monitoring - Based on feedback we have received, the fact that we keep comprehensive records of all payments received and made means we have a current balance of funds available immediately. We are also able to supply records of invoices paid along with all payroll records to ensure the funding has been used correctly and is also sufficient to cover the costs of the care being provided. We make all payments by BACS where possible, or by cheque if required - there can be no 'cash withdrawals'.
Peace of mind - Using Quill eliminates the possibility of misuse of the funds provided. Unfortunately people who are entrusted to manage funding do not always use those funds correctly. Service users, or family members responsible for large sums of money can be tempted to use or borrow from the funds to aid their own personal financial situation. Whilst retraction of funding is an option, using Quill Accounts as a third party manager removes the opportunity to misappropriate funding, whilst still enabling the user to keep using the most appropriate care service for them.
Whilst we offer a range of working methods, our service is very much bespoke to each individual client, and can be adjusted to suit the requirements of any provider, whether on a small or larger scale. We would be keen to discuss our services with any support service or individual and would be happy to meet to see how we can help.
Please contact us if you would like more information on the above services.