Message shared on behalf of the PA Network and SPAEN

Personal Assistants Required throughout Scotland
 
As the Coronavirus continues to spread this will inevitably result in many PA employers and PAs having to self- isolate as a result of either themselves or someone close to them being affected by the virus. We at the Personal Assistants Network Scotland are working in partnership with the Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN) to try to mitigate some of the problems that this will undoubtedly cause for both parties.
 
We would like to ask all Personal Assistants who would be willing to work to help other employers, who may be suffering as a result of their PA being in self-isolation, to get in touch with either ourselves or SPAEN. It may be that your own employer is self-isolating and for a period of time your work hours have been reduced or that you are willing to work more hours to help those in need. Either way, if you get in touch with us giving us your contact details and details of the area that you are willing to work within, we will add you to our emergency PA list.
 
Anyone out there who would consider working to support vulnerable people during this crisis is also welcome to contact us and your details can be added to our contact list.
 
We can guarantee strict confidentiality at all times and we will not give your details to any prospective employer without your direct consent. If there is an employer within the area you are willing to work in who needs support, we will contact you. We’ll give you details of the job requirements, hours of work available, hourly rate of pay etc. and you can let us know if you are interested in speaking to the employer. Only then would we give an employer your contact details.
 
We are not acting as an introductory service or recommending anyone as being a suitable employee, the employer would still need to follow all the normal recruitment practices before employing you. We are simply trying to help people to shorten the timescale that this would normally take.
 
If you would like to register as being available for PA work please contact –
PA Network Scotland on 01563 522551 or email: info@panetworkscotland.org.uk, alternatively you can contact SPAEN on 01698 250280 or email: info@spaen.co.uk
 
Thank you.

March 2020 is Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Older People Month of Action. Statistics show that older people are most at risk from fires. For more information and details about how to arrange a free fire safety visit please download the documents below.
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SDS Options (Fife) and Disabled Person's Housing Service (Fife) will be closed for the holidays from 12pm on Tuesday 24th December 2019 and re-opens on Friday 3rd January 2020 at 9am. All the staff wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Some Useful Numbers:

Samaritans - 116 123
Breathing Space - 0800 838587
Social Work Out Of Hours Emergencies - 03451 55 00 99
Adult Protection Phone Line - 01383 602200
Child Protection - Police 101 or Social Work 03451 551503
NHS24 - 111
CARF - 0345 1400 095
Homelesss Emergency Number - 0800 028 6231

​We have a new traineeship available at Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife).

Traineeship – Reference 2019/001

PATH (Scotland) is offering a thirty-six month Positive Action Training Scheme, which has been specifically designed to redress the under-representation of black and minority ethnic communities in employment in Scottish Housing.  PATH works in collaboration with Local Authority Housing Departments and Registered Social Landlords across Scotland to provide our housing training opportunities.
Applicants should:


·         Be from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and committed to a housing career
·         Be willing to undertake a demanding training and study programme over 36 months
·         Have excellent communication skills
·         Have a commitment to team work
·         Have good customer service skills

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 3rd April 2019 at 12.30pm

SDS Options (Fife) and Disabled Person's Housing Service (Fife) will be closed for the holidays from 1pm on Friday 21st December 2018 and re-opening on Thursday 3rd January 2019 at 9am. All the staff wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Some Useful Numbers:

Samaritans - 116 123
Breathing Space - 0800 838587
Social Work Out Of Hours Emergencies - 03451 55 00 99
Adult Protection Phone Line - 01383 602200
Child Protection - Police 101 or Social Work 03451 551503
NHS24 - 111
CARF - 0345 1400 095
Homelesss Emergency Number - 0800 028 6231

We are now advertising for Personal Assistants on our website on behalf of employers. To find out more go to our Employers Adverts Page where we have 2 vacancies advertised.

I walked into the Kirkcaldy shop to enquire about starting as a P.A in the area. After a friendly welcome I was sat down and explained to how I would be able to become this. Some personal details were taken along with a brief note of my employment history. I was then told that the information I gave would become available for people to look at who are looking for a P.A. Since joining I have been contacted three times separately and have secured regular work with people who have looked at my profile and matched us. It`s a very friendly and effective service they provide and always happy to help in any way from training to simply answering questions.
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I work sessional around my full time job and after getting ready I’ll make my way to the property I am working at. If going shopping isn’t on our daily task lists when I arrive at work,I will call to see if they need anything before I arrive. After arriving, I make us both a cup of coffee and catch up on what’s happened since I was last visiting,unless something needs urgent attention. We discuss what’s required today whether it’s shopping,cooking or a little cleaning before making a game plan for the shift. We will make a shopping list together if required and go out and purchase this together. On our return I will make a meal for him and give the place a tidy while he’s eating. He has recently moved to a new property so most shifts we are still organising what is being kept and what’s not so never a dull moment.
I love this work and built a trusting relationship with my fella. It’s very enjoyable,not like work at all.

Job Title: Self Directed Support Community Co-ordinator
 
Organisation: SDS Options(Fife) part of Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife)
 
Hours: Part Time (17.5 hours)
 
Postcode: Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 1JN
 
Closing Date: 7th December 2018


SDS Options (Fife) is part of our Independent Living Project here at the Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife). We are a user led organisation promoting all aspects of Independent Living.
The Independent Living Project aims to ensure that individuals and families have an understanding of what matters to them and how to get the best out of  the Self Directed Support approach to social care. We have a team of dedicated workers who aim to support individuals and families along the whole way of their SDS journey from general awareness about options through to practical support once an option has been chosen.
We think this independent, person centred and tailored approach works but people also value opportunities to speak to and learn from others in similar circumstances. We want to help create a SDS Community in Fife that looks to share perspectives, support and learn from each other and co-produce solutions that empower individuals.
 
We are looking for a dynamic and creative individual who will connect people around their shared experiences of Self Directed Support This connection will take many forms, be co-produced and involve face-face and virtual connections.
We are looking for someone who:
Understands the social model of disability and the value of independent support and advice.
Feels comfortable with engaging and listening to people in direct (face-face and group) and indirect (virtual and remote) ways.
Can evidence skills, experience and knowledge in areas such as facilitation, co-production, community-building or SDS.
 
The post is funded by the Scottish Government until March 2021 subject to annual review. The post includes a probationary period up to 31 March 2019.
We can offer you a supportive and learning environment as part of a small team working to ensure that people in Fife get access to independent information, advice and support on housing and social care. We are in the process of restructuring our organisation and will shortly be offering enhanced terms and conditions to all staff.
 
If you have any questions regarding this position please contact Ian Fricker, SDS Coordinator on 01592 803282 or email ian.sds@dphsfife.org.uk
 
Application notes
Closing date: 7th December 2018
Interviews to be held early January