Advocacy Services
IN HOT TOPICS TOOAdvocacy is a way to help people have a stronger voice when talking about their needs so they can have as much control as possible over their own lives. Independent advocates don't work for the council and put your needs first and details on how to find one near you are here.
An Employer’s Responsibilities to their PAs During COVID-19
IN HOT TOPICS TOOThe legal responsibilities that an employer has when dealing with issues that relate to COVID-19 and the employment of their PAs. This covers areas such as Risk Assessments, Face coverings, enhanced cleaning and vaccination.
An Introduction to Self-directed Support (for PA Employers)
This is a short introduction to Self Directed Support, including the 4 Options and where to go for further information and support.
Annually Uprated Costs
There might be increases in the cost of certain things that a PA Employer would need to be aware of. A PA Employer can check on this themselves or they can ask a Payroll Company to do this for them.
Budget Considerations
A closer look at what costs a budget needs to cover when employing staff, like the basic rate and how to allow for costs that might or might not happen
Case Study: How an Independent Support Organisation Assisted Paul to Recruit 4 PAs
Paul has successfully employed PAs to fit his support better into family life
Changing an Employment Contract
Before you make a change to an employee's conditions or contract, this section tells you what you need to be aware of. Change is best undertaken when all options have been considered with the employee's involvement and agreement.
Changing Your SDS Option
IN HOT TOPICS TOOThere are 4 Options under Self Directed Support. These are about how a person's care and support can be arranged and how the money that is needed to pay for this is managed. A PA employer could change their SDS Option at any time. However, each Option might change the way in which support is arranged for that person, so they need to think about how each Option relates to their own personal circumstances.
Covering the cost of PVG checks for Social Care Workers
IN HOT TOPICS TOOThe Scottish Government has agreed to cover the cost of PVG checks for Social Care Workers (and comparable roles in Justice and Children’s Services) from 1 October 2022 – 31 March 2023, as part of actions to support winter resilience across the health and care system.
Employing Family Members
IN HOT TOPICS TOOIt is possible to employ a family member to provide support. However, this must be supported by the Local Authority's agreement. There are also other considerations.
Ending a PA’s Employment
If a PA Employer decides not to employ someone after their probationary period, there are certain things they need to do. If the PA Employer decides that they would like to bring someone's employment to an end, there are certain things they will need to do to make sure they comply with employment legislation. This covers areas such as giving PAs Notice and Dismissal.
Equality and Diversity Considerations
PA Employers need to treat their PAs fairly and not to discriminate against them on the basis of a personal or 'Protected Characteristic', such as their gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity or martial status.
Finishing with Being an Employer
IN HOT TOPICS TOOThere might be a number of reasons why someone no longer wants to be a PA Employer. This could because the employer's circumstances have changed and they would prefer not to be an employer anymore, or their needs have changed and they require a different type of support. Whatever the reason might be, there are a number of things the PA Employer needs to be aware of and manage when bringing the PAs employment to an end.
GDPR
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is concerned with respecting the rights of individuals when processing their personal information. A PA Employer has a range of responsibilities under GDPR in the way in which they store personal information about their PA.
General Employment Issues
A general outline of the employment issues related to becoming a PA Employer.
Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland Information
The Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland, was set up to administer ILF for existing recipients of the fund in Scotland. ILF Scotland provides financial awards to over 3,000 disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland to help them live independently. Their funding enables individuals to pay for care so that they can be supported in their homes and within their local communities. Many people receiving ILF Funding also employ their own PAs. ILF Scotland also administer other specific funds available to disabled people.
Introduction to Employer Responsibilities
Becoming a PA employer involves considering a significant amount of information. This can feel overwhelming, especially if people have several other commitments. It may not be as onerous a task as first anticipated though.
Introduction to Health and Safety
Working in a safe way is a legal requirement and an employer is responsible for the health and safety of their employees in the workplace which could be your home. The main areas to be aware of are listed here.
Is being a PA Employer for me?
Things to consider when deciding to be an employer and some case studies to share other PA employer's experiences.
Local Authority Agreements
This will include different examples of Direct Payment Agreements that Local Authorities use to enter into a contract with someone receiving an SDS budget under Option 1.