Independent support worker agency & case management

Nexsteps Personalised Support

Your Life. Your Choices. Your Support.

One complete service combining independent support worker introductions, personalised planning, case management and support coordination. Starting in Cheshire West & Chester.

Illustrated examples of adults with learning disabilities and autism enjoying everyday activities with independent support

Illustrative imagery created for Nexsteps. People shown are not Nexsteps clients or support workers.

Beginning in Cheshire West

More choice. More control. Practical support.

Our complete support package brings together independent support worker introductions, personalised support planning, ongoing case management and practical coordination for people and families.

You choose who supports you. You and your independent support worker agree the tasks, times, hourly rate and payment directly. Nexsteps helps you plan and review your support but does not employ, supervise or manage the support worker.

Register an enquiry ↗

Two adults enjoying a relaxed trip to local shops, illustrating friendly community support — Choice and confidence when getting out into the community

Starting in Cheshire West & Chester. Independent support workers are not employed by Nexsteps. Nexsteps is an independent support worker introduction and client-support agency. Clients and support workers may agree personal care directly; Nexsteps does not provide, direct, manage or supervise that personal care. Introduction availability and replacement cover cannot be guaranteed.

Support around everyday life

Practical help. Your choices.

From making plans together to getting out, learning skills and enjoying community life.

Adult with a learning disability discussing their support plan with two people around a table — **Planning together**Clear conversations and support shaped around the individual.

Adult wheelchair user and companion sharing a cheerful moment outdoors, representing inclusive community support — **Everyday independence**Personal choices, outings and building confidence at your own pace.

One package, personalised to you

Independent support worker introductions and case management together.

One clear agreement for Nexsteps' agency and case management services, adapted to your goals and circumstances. Clients who already have a support worker can also ask us about support coordination.

Understand your needs

Initial conversations, personal goals, everyday living priorities and an agreed support plan.

Find the right support worker

Access to our developing bank of independent support workers. We help with advertising, suitable checks and introductions, so you choose who supports you.

Ongoing case management

A named contact for agreed client-facing goals, personal wellbeing discussions and practical coordination. We do not monitor a support worker's personal care performance or change how they deliver personal care.

Work with your network

With your permission, liaise with families, social workers, housing and other relevant services.

Plan for changes

With your agreement, help plan for changes and approach other independent support workers in our bank where appropriate. Availability and replacement cover are never guaranteed.

Stay informed

Clear responsibilities, Direct Payment information, safeguarding signposting and transparent charges.

Minimum support arrangement: normally 6 hours of support worker support per week, with a minimum of 2 hours per visit. We review the arrangement after 4 weeks and consider individual exceptions. The client and support worker agree the actual schedule directly; Nexsteps does not allocate shifts.

Clear, local pricing

support worker rates and Nexsteps agency and case management fees vary by area. We explain both rates and the overall expected cost before you agree to anything. The support worker normally invoices the client or authorised fund holder directly for their work, and Nexsteps invoices separately for its own services. Council-held funding requires prior commissioning and payment approval. The proposed ongoing agency and case-management charging model, especially where a support worker provides personal care, is subject to regulatory and contractual review before any paid service begins.

Ask about your support ↗

How it works

A straightforward, client-led approach.

01 / TALK

Tell us what matters

We discuss your goals, everyday support needs and preferences.

02 / INTRODUCE

Explore support worker options

We help with advertising, introductions and practical recruitment arrangements.

03 / SUPPORT

Stay in control

Ongoing client-facing case management, agreed reviews and support coordination, without managing the support worker.

This service is preparing for launch. Enquiries are welcome. Some independent support workers may provide personal care by agreement directly with their client. Nexsteps does not deliver, organise rotas for, monitor or direct that personal care. The client or authorised representative remains responsible for their own support worker arrangements. Independent support worker availability and backup cover are not guaranteed.

Looking for a support worker?

Tell us what help you need, when and where. We'll discuss the options and explain the next steps.

Make an enquiry ↗

Are you an independent support worker?

Join the developing Nexsteps bank of independent support workers. Registration and introductions are free, and you agree work directly with the client.

Join our support worker network ↗

Common questions

Clear arrangements from the outset.

Does Nexsteps employ the support workers?

No. Nexsteps introduces independent support workers. The client and support worker agree tasks, times, rates and payment directly. Nexsteps does not allocate shifts, supervise the support worker or run their payroll. Any self-employed arrangement must reflect the actual legal and tax position.

What does Personalised Support offer?

One complete package brings together independent support worker introductions, personalised support planning, ongoing case management and support coordination. Personal care, where required, is agreed and arranged directly between the client and support worker; Nexsteps does not provide, supervise or manage it.

Is backup support worker cover guaranteed?

No. We may help explore alternatives where possible, but we do not promise an available replacement support worker.

How much does it cost?

support worker rates and our agency and case management charges vary by area. We explain all charges before you agree. Independent support workers normally invoice you or your authorised fund holder separately from Nexsteps.

Is there a minimum number of hours?

Our usual minimum is 6 hours of support worker support each week, with at least 2 hours per visit. We consider exceptions individually and review arrangements after 4 weeks. You and your support worker agree the visit times directly.

Who manages the support worker and who pays them?

You and your support worker make your own working arrangements. Nexsteps provides separate agency and case management services. support worker invoices are normally paid directly by you or your authorised budget holder. Council-held funds require an approved arrangement before services are commissioned.

Your voice in your support

What matters to you comes first.

Our case management begins with your goals and keeps you involved in planning, decisions and reviews.

Use your preferred way to communicate. Take the time you need and involve someone you trust if you wish.

Your choices

What would you like to do more independently? What support fits your routines? What would you like your support worker to understand about you?

Your connections

Who do you want to spend time with? What would you like to try in your community? What help would make it easier?

Clear arrangements

Do you understand the options, responsibilities and charges? Who will you contact if plans change or your support worker is unavailable?

Agree. Act. Review together.

With your agreement, we record your priorities, agree the next actions and identify who is responsible. We offer a four-week discussion about your experience of Nexsteps' introduction and agreed client-facing support, then agree future contact with you. This is not an inspection of, or direction to, the support worker's personal care. If you have concerns about care you receive, we can explain appropriate reporting and support routes.

For example: you want to join a local activity. Together, agree an activity you choose, the help needed for a first visit and when to talk about how it went.

We explain the case management included in your Nexsteps agreement before work starts. Replacement support worker availability is not guaranteed.

Our approach draws on Making It Real from Think Local Act Personal. These are Nexsteps' own prompts, informed by its focus on people's experiences and shared decisions.

Tell us what matters to you ↗

Local connections

Rooted in the North West

Our Personalised Support is starting in Cheshire West & Chester. We also develop resources and relationships across neighbouring areas.

Cheshire West & Chester · starting areaWirralLiverpoolSefton & Southport

Ask about your area ↗

Our commitment to personalisation

Read how Nexsteps supports choice, self-directed support, safeguarding and clear responsibilities.

Read our Personalisation and Self-Directed Support Statement →

Recruiting Support Worker Teams for Supported Living

Nexsteps Personalised Support helps individuals living in their own supported living tenancies recruit dedicated teams of Support Workers, built around their choices, routines and support needs.

We help with finding suitable support workers, recruitment and screening, matching, interviews and introductions. The individual and those authorised to act with them are involved in choosing their team and agreeing arrangements.

Our aim is consistent, relationship-based support, with the person remaining in control of who supports them. We can also assist with further support worker introductions when requested, subject to availability. Replacement cover is not guaranteed.

This is a client-led support worker recruitment and agency service, not staffing supplied to existing supported living providers. Employment, care delivery and supervisory responsibilities depend on the agreed arrangements.

Enquire about a dedicated support worker team

Support Worker Opportunities

Explore support worker opportunities and register interest in future client-led vacancies.

View Support Worker Opportunities

Looking for a Support Worker?

Tell Nexsteps about the support you need. We can help you prepare a client-led support worker opportunity.

Advertise a support worker opportunity

Nexsteps Personalised Support

Support shaped around your choices

How the agency worksIndependent support workers, client-led arrangements and ongoing support For Support WorkersRegister your interest and explore current opportunities Personalisation statementChoice, safeguarding and transparent responsibilities

Free NHS e-learning • Workforce learning

Oliver McGowan learning disability and autism training

Find the official free online module, understand Tier 1 and Tier 2, and access NHS and Skills for Care guidance. This training is provided by external approved organisations, not Nexsteps.

Explore official training ↗