Welcome to imPAct - the newsletter for
Personal Assistants across Scotland

Minimum wage for PAs to rise to £12 an hour

Scotland's First Minister has announced that the minimum wage for social care staff (including Personal Assistants) will rise to £12 an hour in April 2024.

It means PAs who are currently paid the £10.90 minimum rate will get a pay rise of 10.1%.

The Scottish Government say they plan to release more information about the pay increase soon. The announcement also means that adult social care staff in Scotland will be paid more than their counterparts in England, who are expected to get a rise to £11.44/ hour at the same time.

FIND OUT MORE ON THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT WEBSITE >  

My PA Day - Jon and Allen

"We are just two older guys having a ball!"

Jon is in his 70s and has worked in social care for more than 20 years.

At the moment, he's working as a PA supporting Allen who lives in the Scottish Borders. Allen is in his 50s, has multiple serious health issues and is registered blind. And as Jon says, he also has a wicked sense of humour!

This week, Jon went with Allen to see the Christmas lights in Edinburgh, in the latest of their regular adventures that Jon says give Allen something to look forward to.

Jon has shared some highlights of their trips over recent months as he told us about his PA Day...

READ ON > 

Want to share your PA Day? Get in touch!

Progress towards national training scheme for PAs

In the last imPAct newsletter we highlighted a national project that is developing training for PAs and Employers in Scotland.

The project has been working to understand the current situation around training for Employers and PAs, as it has been recognised it is a very inconsistent picture across the country.

They have now published their next steps for how the work will develop, based on the findings of a survey shared in this newsletter which PAs responded to.

It is hoped that next year will see the launch of a new national training framework where Employers and PAs can access appropriate training.

READ MORE ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS >

Review recommends registration of PAs

A review commissioned by the Scottish Government to look at the regulation and inspection of social care has recommended that Personal Assistants should be registered.

The recommendation has been made for the Scottish Government to consider, although no decision has yet been made on whether registration will go ahead, or what it will look like if it does.

We will keep readers of imPAct updated on any developments as they happen.

FIND OUT MORE >  

Advice for PAs and Employers on handling winter illnesses

As we head properly into winter, you may be wondering how Covid, flu and other seasonal illnesses could affect you at work.

The PA Handbook has been updated with information for PAs and Employers around Covid-19, but the advice is also relevant for other illnesses that may affect you at this time of year.

Find out more about you and your employer's rights about vaccines, face masks, sick leave and other issues in the PA Handbook.

VISIT THE PA HANDBOOK >

National advertising campaign features PAs

In the last imPAct newsletter we featured the story of Louise, a 19-year-old medical student who works as a Personal Assistant.

Louise's story has now been shared as part of a Scotland-wide advertising campaign aimed at encouraging people to work in social care.

Let's hope that Louise and other PAs who've shared their experiences will inspire others to take on this unique and rewarding role!

FIND OUT MORE >

Festive wishes!

Finally we'd like to wish all readers of the imPAct newsletter a very happy festive season. 

We know many Personal Assistants will be working over Christmas and New Year, so we also hope you find time to rest and relax, however you may celebrating.