Health & Social Care

Issued by the Contract Compliance Unit

You may wish to purchase services direct from an Independent Home Support Provider.

Before entering into a Contract, ensure that the terms and conditions match your needs and expectations.

You should consider including the following, which should be detailed in a written Contract.

• Length of Contract: the date it starts and finishes. Consider a trial period to start with.
• Payment: how much it costs and when you make payments. See guidelines below under Cost.
• Provision of Service: what Service you require. Be specific. See guidelines below under Service Specification.
• Workers: to be suitably trained and experienced and have the necessary skills required to provide the Service.
• Confidentiality: the provider should respect this at all times and adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998.
• Termination of Contract: how much notice is required to end the Contract. What other ways can the Contract be ended? (i.e. the service not being satisfactory or at the right time).
• Complaints: procedures in place that you understand and are easy to follow.
• Health & Safety: consider what steps you may need to take to ensure a safe environment for the person providing the Service.
• Insurance: have you suitable insurance should anything happen? Is the provider suitably insured?