Any independent social workers out there? Help re tax and options.

[Flips]

Hi there, I am new to this forum (go easy!) and have been avidly reading the threads on IR35. I have worked for a charity for a number of years and now i'm facing redundancy I am considering short term contracts to give some flexibility and variety. From reading on this forum, I am thinking about this at a very bad time
I realise if I will be working as a social worker then that will almost definitely put me inside IR35 so is there any point to considering setting up as Ltd? Also, some of the places of work may be quite far away and I have read that I may not be able to claim mileage between home and temporary work - even with an Umbrella - is this correct? I will probably not be looking at huge hourly rates so don't want to end up out of pocket.
TIA x

[Andy Hallett]

My understanding is that Social Workers are, in Blackadder parlance, as inside as an inside thing, inside an even bigger thing.

Umbrella or FTC your best bets.

[DaveB]

Unfortunately, as Andy said, you are probably so far inside you'd need a proctologist to do your contract reviews.

You're only real option with travel expenses is either to only take work locally or to include travel costs and expenses in your day rate when going for gigs, knowing that this may make you more expensive than others going for the same role.

[Flips]

My understanding is that Social Workers are, in Blackadder parlance, as inside as an inside thing, inside an even bigger thing.

Umbrella or FTC your best bets.

As sticky a situation as when Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun. I see. Thanks

[Flips]

Unfortunately, as Andy said, you are probably so far inside you'd need a proctologist to do your contract reviews.

You're only real option with travel expenses is either to only take work locally or to include travel costs and expenses in your day rate when going for gigs, knowing that this may make you more expensive than others going for the same role.

Good to know. I will be saying no to the far away contracts for peanuts then. Unless they can offer a much better rate. Or try for third sector roles...

[MeMeMe1966]

you can do independent assessments as piece-meal bits of work. Generally fostering and adoption specifically alot of kin-ship care assessments. A few big agencies like Willis-Palmer will get the assessments and farm out the work to independent social workers on their books. The end product is your report with recommendations. There is guidelines around how much interviewing you do but other than that there is minimal supervision, direction or control. The social worker is expected to use their own expertise and approach to satisfy themselves on whether the potential carer is suitable. This model is very firmly outside IR35 as you could have several of these assessments on the go at once and all for different local authorities. These are outside IR35.

if you sit inside a 9-5 team covering a vacancy then you are inside.

[Flips]

you can do independent assessments as piece-meal bits of work. Generally fostering and adoption specifically alot of kin-ship care assessments. A few big agencies like Willis-Palmer will get the assessments and farm out the work to independent social workers on their books. The end product is your report with recommendations. There is guidelines around how much interviewing you do but other than that there is minimal supervision, direction or control. The social worker is expected to use their own expertise and approach to satisfy themselves on whether the potential carer is suitable. This model is very firmly outside IR35 as you could have several of these assessments on the go at once and all for different local authorities. These are outside IR35.

if you sit inside a 9-5 team covering a vacancy then you are inside.

Thank you - I was hoping that would be the case.