Welcome to imPAct - the newsletter for
Personal Assistants across Scotland

Trial will test out new discount card for PAs

A trial is taking place in Scotland to test out a new discount card for Personal Assistants.

The Blue Sky Social Care Card offers a range of discounts at retailers and services. It was launched recently in England and is available to all social care workers across the UK.

Now, the card is being tried out by a group of 50 Scottish PAs to test how easy it is to apply for, and whether it is good value for money. 

The test will run over the next few months, and we'll share updates in this newsletter about how it's going - keep an eye out for more. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BLUE SKY SOCIAL CARE CARD AND THE TRIAL > 

What training do you need as a PA?

We know that PA Employers are responsible for training their PAs, but that training isn't always easy to come by.

A project is under way to develop training for PAs, and would really like to hear from you what types of training you would find useful.

There is a short survey you can fill in to give your views. Please also share the survey with your Employer(s) and encourage them to have their say. 

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE > 

My PA Day - Louise

"It's a unique and interesting job and it's really nice getting to know an individual and their family and being able to be flexible to fit their needs as best you can."

Louise is a 19-year-old medical student who also works as PA supporting Ben.

She shares her experience of being a PA and what she enjoys most about this varied and rewarding role.

READ ON > 

Want to share your PA Day? Get in touch!

The PA Network Scotland is here to help

"One of the things we often hear from PAs when they’ve been in touch for the first time is ‘Why haven’t I heard of you before?’, despite the fact that we’ve been around since the very beginning of Self-Directed Support. 

"Raising awareness that we are here to support Personal Assistants with any work-related issues remains one of our main goals. When things are going well in your job there is no real need to know about us but it’s when things don’t go to plan that it’s good to know where to go for independent support and guidance. We won’t know the answer to everything, but we will almost certainly know someone who does. 

"In the last newsletter we shared our plans to become a membership organisation for PAs across Scotland, as being a member of an organisation means you know where to go when you need support or advice. We hope to be able to give you some exciting news on this very soon.

"In the meantime, we want you to know that we can provide phone and email support to all PAs, whether you've been in touch with us before or not, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

"Save our details so you've got them when you need them - we're here to help.

"Contact us at 01563 522551 or info@panetworkscotland.org.uk"

-The PA Network Scotland

Minimum hourly rate for PAs

Did you know the minimum hourly rate for PAs who support adults changed to £10.90 an hour from 1 April 2023?

Find out more, and what to do if you aren't being paid the minimum rate, in the PA Handbook. 

VISIT THE PA HANDBOOK >