Clear information for families and self-employed carers
These prototype summaries show the policy set NeedCare intends to maintain. They are not final legal notices and must be tailored to the real service, data flows and regulatory model before launch.
Privacy notice
NeedCare will explain what personal information Needit-Tech Ltd collects, why it is needed, the lawful basis used, who receives it, how long it is kept, international transfers, security measures and every person’s data rights. Care needs, diagnoses, medication and visit notes may be health data and require an Article 6 lawful basis plus an Article 9 condition. DBS and safeguarding information also needs enhanced controls. This prototype notice must be completed with the actual suppliers, retention periods, ICO registration details and contact details before launch.
Safeguarding policy
NeedCare should publish how a concern can be reported, how immediate danger is handled, who the designated safeguarding lead is, escalation routes to local authorities and police, record-keeping rules, confidentiality limits and protections against retaliation. The policy must cover adults at risk and children where childcare is offered. Call 999 where there is immediate danger.
Complaints and disputes
Customers and carers should be able to make a complaint in an accessible format, receive acknowledgement, understand target response times, request review or escalation, and learn what independent redress may be available. Complaints, safeguarding concerns and payment disputes must follow separate risk-based workflows where appropriate.
Payments, fees and cancellations
Prices, the 12.5% NeedCare platform fee, taxes, payment timing, payout frequency, cancellation charges, refunds, chargebacks, disputes and any cooling-off rights must be shown clearly before a booking is confirmed. Carers remain responsible for their own tax and National Insurance. Payment services must be delivered through appropriately authorised providers.
Independent self-employed carer agreement
The agreement should describe the marketplace relationship accurately: carers choose whether, when and for whom they work, set or agree their rates, remain responsible for how they deliver care under the client’s direction and are not employed by NeedCare. Legal advice is required on employment status, substitution, control, tax, insurance and the precise platform operating model; labels alone do not determine legal status.
Code of conduct
The code should cover dignity, consent, professional boundaries, confidentiality, accurate visit records, medication support limits, gifts and financial abuse, discrimination, harassment, intoxication, social media, conflicts of interest, punctuality, incident reporting and conduct that may lead to suspension or permanent removal.
Accessibility statement
NeedCare aims to meet WCAG 2.2 AA and provide reasonable adjustments. Users should be able to request large print, Easy Read, audio, BSL or language support. The production statement should list known limitations, testing dates, contact routes and the process for reporting an access problem.
Emergency guidance
NeedCare is not an emergency service and app messages may not be monitored immediately. Call 999 where someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help. The live service should also explain when to use NHS 111 and how carers report urgent safeguarding or care incidents.
Contact and company information
Before launch, publish Needit-Tech Ltd’s registered company name, company number, registered office, trading address, support email and telephone number, complaints contact, privacy contact or DPO where applicable, and relevant regulator details. Do not launch with placeholders.