Handling and paying for grievance/appeal hearings as a PA employer

Hi, I’ve had an enquiry from a carer regarding a grievance/appeal after dismissing a PA and I wonder if anyone has experience of navigating this process as a PA employer.

The carer recently dismissed a PA who had provided personal care support to her mother for 8 months. The carer took advice from her insurer throughout the process but the PA has appealed the dismissal and raised a grievance. The carer has been advised by her insurance company that she would be best not to carry out the grievance and appeal hearings herself, and that a third party would be better to do this.

The carer has been quoted a cost for these services by her insurer but has been told that her insurance does not cover the cost of this. Can anyone suggest what options the carer may have or organisations that could offer support? She has been in touch with Acas and they provided advice, but they can’t offer assistance in this way.

Also, the carer wants to know if she can use her SDS funding to pay for these services, as she has an underspent balance? She has not asked the LA yet but it would be helpful to know if anyone has any knowledge/experience of this.

Thanks