'Selfless' Merseyside social care professional shortlisted for acclaimed award

DENISE Kennedy, a Social Care worker based across Merseyside and Cheshire, with an impressive career in care spanning 25 years, is up for the:- 'Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award' at a prestigious awards ceremony on:- Saturday, 11 November 2023.

Denise has worked for Community Integrated Care, 1 of the UK's biggest adult social care charities, since 1996, originally joining as a Support Worker and, most recently, being the visionary behind the charity's unique Positive Behaviour Support Team. 'Passionate,' 'selfless' and 'inspiring' are just some of the words Denise's colleagues use to describe her.

Admired by her peers, Denise is recognised amongst the cream of the crop of dedicated specialists within the North West care sector who have been nominated in this esteemed category at The Great British Care Awards Regional celebration.

Community Integrated Care is 1 of the UK's largest and most established care providers. With a 35 year heritage, the charity now supports more than 3000 people who have:- learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia, across both:- England and Scotland.

The annual Great British Care Awards celebrate excellence in the social care sector and the event sees the charity shortlisted for 4 further honours, including:- the Care Innovator, Care Employer and Frontline Leader of the Year categories.

Samantha Brennan, Managing Director at Community Integrated Care, said:- "Denise's dedication and passion for our colleagues and the people we support is truly aspirational. Within her many roles across Community Integrated Care, she has consistently shown determination, innovation, and compassion, always striving towards our vision of supporting people to live the best lives possible. During her impressive career Denise has transformed so many lives; overcoming various obstacles and always putting people 1st. She pioneered in introducing a new person centred support solution across 500+ teams, provided crisis support during the Pandemic and has devoted intensive time to supporting countless people. Her impact is felt right across our charity."

Community Integrated Care employs 6,000 colleagues nationally. To find out more about the charity's vacancies, and what it's like to work for Community Integrated Care, visit:- WorkInCare.Co.UK.
 

VAT Registration Goes Paperless

IN order to improve customer service and provide a quicker turnaround on Value Added Tax (VAT) registrations, from:- 13 November 2023, anyone applying to register for VAT should use HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) online VAT Registration Service (VRS).

More than 95% of our customers already use the online service as it is the quickest, most secure, and easiest way to register for VAT.

Like most organisations, and in line with our customers' expectations of a modern tax authority, HMRC is committed to providing more digital options. VRS meets HMRC's ambition to increase the use of our digital services, including:- Making Tax Digital (MTD), to make registration quicker and easier and reduce the need for paper forms.

We know that some customers are unable to access or use digital technology and we will continue to support them. HMRC will continue to provide a service to meet their needs through non-digital channels, including:- by telephone to our VAT Helpline and our needs extra support service.

Most HMRC customers are digitally able and many report a better experience when using digital channels, accessing their information at a time and place that suits them. Customers can save their online application and complete the missing sections when they have checked for any outstanding information required.

Registering online is also quicker as HMRC receives the application as soon as it is submitted. We still have to check and approve the application, but doing it online usually speeds the registration process with around 50% of customers receiving their VAT number in 7 working days and 80% within the 40 day service standard.

Customers will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to register for VAT and use our online services. If customers do not have these already, they can create a user ID and password when they sign into the Government Gateway for the 1st time. When registering for VAT, they should have their business' details to hand and take time to input them correctly. Find out more on the:- 'how to register for VAT' pages on:- Gov.UK.

Agents, such as tax advisory firms and accountants, should continue to use VRS through the Agent Services Account.

Some VAT schemes (for example the Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme) require customers to register for VAT by post. There is no change to these requirements. Search:- Gov.UK, for:- 'Register for VAT by post,' to find out more.

Information about registering for VAT is available by searching:- 'Register for VAT' on:- Gov.UK. Customers can find more information about exemptions from registering for VAT online by searching:- 'Making Tax Digital for VAT' on:- Gov.UK. Those needing to complete a paper VAT1 form should call the VAT Helpline on:- 03002003700. Customers do not have to apply for an exemption in advance, but we may ask why they wish to apply by post for VAT registration. A Relay UK service is available.