Personal Assistant Programme Board

A PA Employer is in a workshop, his PA stands beside him

The Personal Assistant Programme Board brings together people who employ Personal Assistants, Personal Assistants themselves, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to improve the recognition of – and support for – Personal Assistants in Scotland. The PA Programme Board was set up in 2021.

Personal Assistants are a diverse workforce, and the nature of their role means that (unlike other parts of the social care workforce) there is no one established place where their needs can be understood and their voice heard.

The PA Programme Board provides a national space where work to recognise and support PAs, and in turn their employers, is agreed, planned and carried out.

The work of the PA Programme Board is split into subgroups which focus on:

  • improving national data on Personal Assistants (data subgroup)
  • improving awareness of the PA role, and recruitment infrastructure for PAs (recruitment subgroup)
  • improving training opportunities for PAs and employers (training subgroup)
  • work to support PAs’ wellbeing (wellbeing subgroup)
  • ensuring there is consistent language and messaging around PAs and Employers (communications and information subgroup)
  • developing a consistent approach to Direct Payments across Scotland (direct payment subgroup)
  • developing local peer support networks for PAs (PA networks subgroup).

How can Personal Assistants get involved?

The PA Programme Board is keen to hear from Personal Assistants who would like to be involved to share their experience and to help make things better for all PAs in Scotland.

The Programme Board meets online every three months and PAs can claim expenses to cover the time they contribute.

Please get contact Self Directed Support Scotland at info@sdsscotland.org.uk if you are interested in getting involved.

Next steps

Take a look at the Personal Assistant Programme Board website below for more information

Part of
Last Updated
11 June 2024
First Published
28 April 2022
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Disclaimer

Please note that the information contained in this Handbook is provided for guidance purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by Self Directed Support Scotland or any other contributing party.

The information does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice. You are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal and professional advice from a lawyer about employment law matters, or an accountant/ tax specialist about taxation matters, and from HMRC and your insurers. You should not rely solely on the information in this Handbook. Support organisations listed in this Handbook can help you find appropriate sources of advice.

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