Posted By Lucy Rackliff I am trying to put together a plan for working for myself. Although I have a health and safety qualification, and the work I want to do is connected with health and safety, it is not a health and safety consultancy in the strictest sense. I would welcome any advice or comments from people who have worked for themselves (whether in H&S or not) about pitfalls to avoid, good sources of advice and information.... anything that might be helpful to me basically! Thanks in anticipation, Lucy.

Posted By Ken Urquhart Lucy, Another thought is that you will need some form of Insurance and perhaps Professional Indemnity Cover. Talk to Insurers and the Bank Small and Start Up Business advisers as Paul identified. Also if you are to be Self Employed get a Tax/Accountant Consultant. Also set up separate Bank and Credit Card accounts for your enterprise and keep everything totally separate from your personal finances. Also if you run your own car keep separate accounts and good records for business fuel, milege and journeys etc. Look also to the left of this page and note that IOSH have within the "Specialist Groups" a "Consultants Group" Although there is not much on the page at the moment it does have a link to other HELP sectors such as Small Business start Ups and Govet Regioanl Businees help groups etc. Then consider, again looking at the left hand screen margin, registering under IOSH's Consultants registration system - "Consultancy Services" There is also a networking group in the UK, a bit like Rotary clubs, I can't just remember the Name of it but I am sure that the Small Business Advisers in one of the Bank Start Up groups will know. The idea is that you, once a week or fortnight go to a breakfast meeting. There you are given 2 minutes to introduce yourself and what your Service or Business is. You become aware of the other businesses/ventures from getting business cards form all the other attendees, and if you join you get a members list. You then network and introduce possible clients to each other. No guarantees but business may evolve. At the next meeting you attend you can mention these rferrals and give or get feedback as to whether or not business developed etc. It's good, it starts at 7.30am prompt, you get a reasonable breakfast and lots of contacts and you can be at your own workplace be it home or office by 9am, sometimes with some business/commissions. Anyway hope this helps. Regards. Ken Urquhart.

Posted By Martyn Hendrie I agree with Jane, my local business advice centre ran a one day course as an introduction to starting a business. This gave an awareness of the issues associated with starting up on your own. This was followed by a 3 day course giving a lot more practical advice for those who had decided to follow through and start a business. (The cost was only £65) At the time they were called "enterprise agency" which may have changed but I am sure you can find the new version through "business link" Good luck, If I can help further please e.mail me Martyn Hendrie