Direct Payments and Payroll
Use your Direct Payment to live the life you choose. WECIL supports Disabled people to manage their Direct Payment to give choice and control over how their care needs are met. On the page below you will find information on the following:

What is a Direct Payment and how can it help me?
Find out what a Direct Payment is if you’re new to them:
“A Direct Payment is funding from your local authority that provides choice and control over how Disabled people receive support in their own home or in the community. The funding can be used to employ the people you want to support you, to purchase a service from a care provider, equipment or some other way you choose to meet your support needs.”
As part of your budget, you will also receive a payment for all or some of the costs for a support agency to help you manage your Direct Payment – WECIL is one of these support agencies.
Free training sessions
Over the next few months, WECIL is offering a series of free, in-person training sessions for Personal Assistant (PA) and Direct Payment employers. Topics include everything from First Aid to Neurodiversity, equipping you with the essential skills and knowledge to support independent living.
Where: Tower Lane Warmley BS30 8XT
About the event: This event is perfect for anyone looking to improve their skills in moving and handling. Join us at Acorn Health and Safety: Training Courses for an interactive session that will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to handle people safely.
The course will be delivered by knowledgeable and enthusiastic trainers all of whom hold adult teaching qualifications supported by a professional qualification and considerable, hands on practical experience both in the care and community sectors.
The Manual Handling course is aimed at staff working in the health and social care settings. This course is aligned to The Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF). This is an opportunity to enhance your skills and boost your confidence when it comes to moving and handling.
Get tickets here.
When: Wed, 27 Nov 2024 09:30 - 13:00 GMT
Where: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ
About the event: Join us at The Vassall Centre for an interactive session on understanding and embracing neurodiversity! Attendees will be exploring the concept of neurodiversity in a variety of ways with a mix of facilitated discussions, lived experienced knowledge and scenario based activities. The session will be led by an experienced neurodiversity trainer and a Lived Experience Facilitator who is a neurodivergent adult. It will be interactive and informative, and a safe place for everyone to learn and share.
Get tickets: This event is sold out.
When: Thursday, December 5 · 10am - 1pm GMT / Thursday, February 6, 2025 · 10am - 1pm GMT
Where: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ
About the event: Come join us on 12th Dec 2024 or 13th Feb 2025 at The Vassall Centre to learn all about managing your Direct Payments effectively. Our expert trainers will provide you with valuable insights and tips on how to navigate the world of direct payments with ease.
Get tickets here.
When: Thursday, December 12 · 10am - 1pm GMT / Thursday, February 13, 2025 · 10am - 1pm GMT
Where: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ
About the event: Welcome to our event on How to manage your Direct Payment - New employers or refresher course! Whether you're new to managing Direct Payments or just need a refresher, this event is perfect for you. Join us on 5th December 2024 or 6th February 2025 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at The Vassall Centre for a fun and informative session.
Get tickets here.
When: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:30 - 16:30 GMT
Where: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ
About the event: This course will be delivered by knowledgeable and enthusiastic trainers all of whom hold adult teaching qualifications supported by professional qualifications.
They have gained their hands-on first aid experience from a variety of different backgrounds over many years including nursing, armed forces, emergency services, hospitality, Voluntary Aid Societies, as well as other industry sectors before becoming qualified instructors.
Owing to the practical nature of this course a basic level of general fitness is required. Delegates must be physically able to carry out the procedures detailed in the course outline. Should you have any questions relating to the accessibility of this course please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and certification. See you there!
Get tickets: this event is sold out.
When:Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:00 - 13:00 GMT
Where: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ
About the event: Come join us at The Vassall Centre for a fun and informative event all about being a great Personal Assistant! Learn essential skills, tips, and tricks to excel in your role.
Whether you're new to the job or looking to improve your current skills, this training is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to network with fellow PAs and enhance your career. Sign up now!
Get tickets here.
Direct Payment Support
We understand that Direct Payments can be confusing, time consuming, and difficult to understand. That’s why we offer specialist advice and support to both adults and families with Disabled children that receive a Direct Payment from their local authority or healthcare funding from the NHS. We give you the tools and advice you need to be able to make independent choices and receive the care and support you want.
Find out more about the types of support we offer:
If you’d like to employ a Personal Assistant to support your care needs, we can help you register you as an employer with HMRC once you have had your care assessment.
We can support you to find and register with an agency that can supply staff to provide your care. Some Disabled people choose to set up both as an employer and with an agency.
We offer Direct Payment support so that you can receive help and advice when you need it. You will have a dedicated Independent Living Payment Advisor to help you meet your employer responsibilities, remain within employment law and get the most out of your Direct Payment.
You can delegate your financial administration and budgeting to WECIL. We receive your funding from your local authority and ensure payments are made on your behalf to your employees, agencies, HMRC and insurers.
WECIL’s recruitment service supports Direct Payment recipients to search and recruit Personal Assistants that are right for them. We offer support with job descriptions, person specifications, job adverts, application forms, shortlisting, interviewing, induction and probationary reviews.
Direct Payment Stories
Discover the inspiring stories of WECIL’s Direct Payment users who have gained independence, managed their care more effectively, and navigated the complexities of employing personal assistants.
Kyrby's story
Sam's story
WECIL is an award winning, user led organisation supporting Disabled people to live the life they choose.

Payroll
Our Payroll service supports Direct Payment recipients and small businesses to meet their legal obligations relating to paying employees. WECIL can fully manage Payroll on behalf of the Disabled person for ease, peace of mind and to give you more time to do things that matter to you.
How it works
Payroll set up
Registering you as an employer with HMRC.
Declaration of Compliance
Undertake a mandatory assessment with The Pension Regulator to see if your employees are eligible for auto-enrolment into a pension scheme.
Managing Payroll
Calculating your employees’ wages, tax, National Insurance contributions, sick pay, maternity or paternity pay and annual leave allowance. We produce payslips for your Personal Assistants and can make payments to your employees on your behalf.
Registering you as an employer with HMRC.
Undertake a mandatory assessment with The Pension Regulator to see if your employees are eligible for auto-enrolment into a pension scheme.
Calculating your employees’ wages, tax, National Insurance contributions, sick pay, maternity or paternity pay and annual leave allowance. We produce payslips for your Personal Assistants and can make payments to your employees on your behalf.
Our Direct Payments and Payroll department helps you make the most out of your payment and get the support you really want and need.
Independent Living Payments Team
Our Independent Living Payment team is made up of Disabled and non-Disabled people some of whom receive a Direct Payment themselves or have family members that receive one. The Social Model of Disability is at the heart of everything we do.
Come back soon to see our full team.
Testimonials
Discover what users have to say about our Direct Payments and Payroll service.
Our approach is fully person centred. Our staff have lived experience of Disability and this informs the support we offer.
Resources
View our resources for example contracts, timesheets, jot form for registering a new PA, onboarding to WECIL
PDFs, downloadable, self resource.
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Whether you’re new to Direct Payments or need employment advice and support, we can help you with what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anybody that meets the criteria in the Care Act as having care and support needs is eligible for a Direct Payment. However, if you have savings of more than £23,500 then local authorities will not fund your Direct Payment, but WECIL can still support you if you self-fund your care. If your savings fall below this threshold you will be eligible to receive funding from local authorities following a financial assessment. For more information watch the video here.
We are not able to recommend a specific care agency, but we can support you to source agencies that meet your needs.
For further advice phone 0117 947 9933 or email: [email protected]
- By Direct Debit – Phone 0117 947 9933 or email [email protected] and request a Direct Debit Mandate.
- By BACS transfer – account details on invoice.
- By credit/debit card over the phone by calling 0117 947 9933
If you need help to recruit Personal Assistants, we can help you advertise, create job descriptions and adverts, shortlist and interview. Click here for more information on recruitment, or for further advice phone 0117 947 9933 or email [email protected]
This depends on their contracted hours. You can calculate their statutory entitlement on the gov.uk holiday calculator here or call WECIL on 0117 947 9933 or email [email protected] for support.
Legally you much pay the national minimum wage, your local authority will advise you on a rate of pay for your Personal Assistant that is affordable within your budget.
If you want to pay more then it is likely that you will have to top this up yourself.
The local authority will conduct a financial assessment with you to assess if and by how much you have to contribute to your Direct Payment. If your Direct Payment is for a child under 18 then you will not have to contribute financially to your Direct Payment.
Tell us as soon as possible. We will support you in ensuring you properly administer maternity leave and maternity pay, and can help you find alternative support if necessary. We will advise you as to your rights as an employer and the rights of your Personal Assistant to ensure everyone is treated fairly.
We will help you implement robust sick leave procedures and understand your responsibilities to provide Statutory Sick Pay. We can help you find alternative support if necessary and to ensure you meet your responsibilities in supporting your Personal Assistant back to work.
As an employer, you can access funding from Skills for Care to pay for training for you as an employer and your Personal Assistants. For more information please contact WECIL on 0117 947 9933 or email [email protected].