A dedicated online portal has been launched for more than 10,000 Personal Assistants across Scotland to ensure they receive a £500 thank you payment (announced for all health and social care staff in November 2020).
The Personal Assistant (PA) workforce are employed directly by disabled and supported people, for whom they provide vital support to enable them to live independently.
The portal aims to provide the most effective, streamlined way to reach these diverse workers. A paper-based application form is also available for those who prefer it. Applications will be administered by Scotland Excel on behalf of Scottish Government.
How to Apply
Applications can be made through the dedicated online portal (linked for your convenience), or by paper forms.
A dedicated helpline has also been set up to support applicants (including access to paper applications), which is available Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 4:30pm by phone: 0800 841 1321.
Successful applicants will receive payments from Independent Living Fund Scotland, who have agreed to administer payments on behalf of Scottish Government. Payments will be on a pro rata basis of up to a maximum of £500, depending on the number of hours they work in an average week.
The portal will be open for 8 weeks, and closes to new applications at 11:59pm on Wednesday 25th August.
Background
At the end of November 2020, the First Minister announced a non-consolidated, pro-rated payment of £500 to NHS, social care, residential childcare and “shared care” employees. Estimates, based on available data, suggest there are over 10,000 Personal Assistants and “shared care” workers.
Personal Assistants are publicly funded when their employer receives funds through Self-Directed Support (option 1) or from Independent Living Fund Scotland.
Unlike other social care workers, Personal Assistants are not registered with the Scottish Social Services Council, and the services they provide are not registered with the Care Inspectorate. As a result, the portal and bespoke application process has been developed as the simplest way to reach the entire PA workforce.
Further Information
To apply, please visit the dedicated online portal.
Alternatively, view Scottish Government’s press release, or their application guidance.
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