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Local Authority Developments
A number of Local Authorities are progressing different initiatives in working with Personal Assistants. Its worth looking at the "in your area" pages to gain an overview of each of the 9 Local Authorities.
Reading Personal Assistant Forum
Reading’s PAMS scheme has been set up to assist clients in receipt of Direct Payments to select their Personal Assistants (PAs). Carers who wish to be PAs can become approved and are then added to an Approved Register. This provides reassurance for clients that PAs on this register have attained a certain level of training, have shown evidence of their identity and home address and are legal to work in the UK. The project uses the register to match clients with suitable Personal Assistants.
Reading have just launched a Personal Assistants Forum, with various meeting dates in September to December, and early 2012.
What do Personal Assistants have to do to get on the Approved Register?
PAs follow an Approval Framework in order to become approved by the project and RBC. The general criteria include an identification check, valid work permit, committing to a code of conduct and understanding the core principles of care, such as confidentiality, equal opportunities and person centred care.
They also have to undertake training for the protection of service users and themselves.
What training courses do Personal Assistants have to undertake to become approved?
The minimum training standards are:
* Common Induction Standards workbook
* Emergency Treatments
* Equal Opportunities & Diversity
* Health & Safety
* Infection Control
* Managing Medication
* Moving & Handling
* Personal Safety & Security
* Safeguarding Adults
Additional training is required for specialist areas of care. Most training is undertaken through Log on to Care e-learning modules, and PAs can also access the RBC face to face training programme free of charge. PAs are encouraged to continue their professional development as they go along, and on top of the minimum standards there are ‘desired’ levels to work towards.
How is PAMS Managed?
PAMS in Reading is managed by the charity Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers (Reading). They assess whether individuals are suitable for the role by undertaking the necessary checks and induction, and support them through the training courses. They make the best possible match between clients and suitable PAs.
What are the benefits of the PAMS scheme?
Clients can employ whomever they like to be their Personal Assistant, but many don’t know where to start when recruiting. Through the project, they not only receive help finding a suitably qualified PA to meet their needs, but they also have the added reassurance that the PA has met certain criteria in order to be on the Approved Register.
The benefits for Personal Assistants include free induction, training and support and the opportunity to be considered for PA positions that may not otherwise have been available to them. They are able to state the times they wish to work, giving them flexibility to fit their circumstances.
Milton Keynes Personal Assistants Forum
Milton Keynes Council in partnership with Skills for Care have launched a Forum to provide networking and training and development opportunities for Personal Assistants.
The Forum is completely FREE, and will run from 1.30-4.30pm with a refreshment break.
Other Local Authority Developments
We are encouraging the 9 Local Authorities to provide detailed information on their plans for Personalisation and training support for Personal Assistants, and in some cases, we could well be able to provide sections where agenda meetings, resources and other information can be held that is useful to local Personal Assistants.
Currently, there are 3 Local Authorities who have dedicated pages.
For Oxfordshire information click here
For West Berkshire information click here
For Milton Keynes information click here
Page last edited: 06 September 2011
