Christmas, holidays and looking ahead

Direct payment board relaunch - 7th December

Council staff, experts by experience and members of the public who receive or manage direct payments met to hear from board members and find out more with an improvisation activity to get us about how we communicate with each other. 

The aim of the board is to inform and shape the direction of direct payments with fresh ideas and insight that only comes from real-world experience. We meet every 3 months.

We are keen to get a wider range of voices, experience and skills bringing value to the board as an opportunity to hold the Council to account, shape future development, and learn from each other. Everyone with an interest in direct payments is welcome to join. 

Next board meeting is 7th March 2024 - email direct.payments@shropshire.gov.uk if you are interested in joining us. (In person or virtual attendance options).

Coming soon - Training for employers and drop in for everyone

First ever virtual drop in with the direct payment team - 18th January 1:30-2:30pm. If you, your PAs, family, etc. have any questions, suggestions, want to meet the team, you are welcome to join us in an online Teams meeting.   

Face to face training for employers - Look out in the new year for training from ILG employment law specialists regarding employment contracts, benefits of the Mark Bates insurance policy, and answers to the most common queries they get.

Skills for Care will be holding a virtual workshop on the Retention of Personal Assistants in Social Care

• Thursday 28 March 2024
• 10:00-11:00
• Via Zoom
• For more details and to register Click here

If you are interested email direct.payments@shropshire.gov.uk for an invite

Essential information for employers - Annual leave

All employed personal assistants (PAs) are entitled to annual leave and it is important that they have regular breaks from work to rest and maintain their wellbeing. 

As an employer you should promote use of annual leave and check amounts of leave that are left throughout the year to ensure it gets used regularly.

To ensure you are not left without support there is funding in the direct payment to pay for the PAs annual leave and replacement cover. It is useful to identify alternative PAs who can provide cover flexibly. If you are struggling to find cover you can look on the Shropshire PA noticeboard website for PAs or contact your social care team for help.