Care and Support Shortages

We understand that the anxiety caused by uncertainty around support is awful. Finding a reliable source of support is difficult for many in Shropshire right now. If you’re feeling concerned let us know at direct.payments@shropshire.gov.uk and we will help work out a plan together.

It can be possible for family or friends to be paid the Personal Assistant (PA) rate for any support hours they do to cover cancelled shifts or to cover sick leave. You might be able to get someone to provide support for a partial amount of the usual time - or the hours might differ from your usual routine. Use your direct payment to cover support as and when it is available for you to meet your needs.

We need more people to provide support. Do you know of anyone who is looking for a paid role as a PA? They can email personal.assistants@shropshire.gov.uk to join our PA contact list.

PPE and Infection Control Grant

If you were receiving a direct receipt on or from the 1^st September, you will receive an additional £150 into your direct payment account by October.

The money is to help with costs of infection control and PPE equipment and items including face masks, hand wash, hand gel etc.

We won’t check how this grant is used, so receipts do not need to be kept as you usually would for your financial check-up.

To withdraw the money from a Just Credit Union account you can either complete a withdrawal form which is available on the JCU website or email info@justcreditunion.org giving your membership no. requesting to withdraw £150 and provide the details of the account you would like the money to be paid into.

Please make sure the details are correct as payments cannot be withdrawn once they are made. JCU are not liable if they are given incorrect account details.

Carers Rights Day – 25^th November

Carers rights day aims to help unpaid carers supporting loved ones learn about their rights and find out how to get the support they are entitled to. For more information about events visit: https://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-choices/caring-for-someone-else/

Sarah’s story

Eliza was born 10 months ago. She has brought lots of joy, but her arrival also showed how rigid agency care is. As someone with two long, complicated genetic illnesses caring for a baby has challenges. The carers weren’t even allowed to touch Eliza which didn’t help me at all. It didn’t work anymore. When speaking to Gill about solutions, an idea grew; a PA (Personal Assistant) could help.

I had been offered direct payments a few times in the past. I avoided it because I worried about the responsibilities of being an employer. I was prepared for it to be stressful and difficult but hoped it would be worth it. However, it was surprisingly easy. Being an employer is simpler than I thought.

It’s amazing the way it’s worked out. I was preparing to recruit staff but when sharing with friends it turned out one had just recently left a job and was looking for work and another offered a couple of hours a week of her time. They already understood my conditions and life.

I was slightly nervous about being supported to have a shower and get dressed by a friend but within the first couple of weeks the benefits far outweighed any awkwardness. I can be flexible; I don’t have to plan in advance which is impossible with variable conditions. I couldn’t safely take Eliza out on my own in case I fainted or had a seizure. This morning we’ve been out to soft play which I couldn’t have done before.

It’s not been long, but it’s been great. I wish I’d done it earlier.