 SUMMER 2021 DIRECT PAYMENT NEWSLETTER
Covid-19 Testing and vaccination walk-in clinics
PAs who work in England, PAs who work in England, whether employed or self-employed where they work closely with an adult they support, are eligible to order test kits every 28 days. You can find full guidance here: Covid 19 Testing for Personal Assistants
For the most up to date information you can check:
Coronavirus advice for direct payments or call the First Point of Contact on 0345 6789044.
There are now walk in clinics for vaccinations for over 40’s as well as 18-39’s available in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Telford please see: Walk in clinic times
Good Boss Support Network – Caroline's review
"Hillary Delany- Hall's 'Good Boss' drop-in zoom sessions are a safe, social, independent place to spill worries, have a laugh and learn about responsibilities as a DP employer. I've thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the group and getting to know a diverse bunch of individuals with the common ground being the highs and lows that come with DP."
Individual Employers can join the Good Boss Network Facebook Group through Good Boss Support Network where their zoom meetings and training are advertised or contact Hilary Delany-Hall directly at hdelaneyhall@btinternet.com.
They meet fortnightly on a Wednesday at 4pm – 5.30pm
Hourly rate increase for new financial year
Shropshire Council have increased the current standard Personal Assistant hourly rate from £9.30 an hour to £9.60. This will mean that you will get an increase in the Direct Payment rate to £11.26 to include on-costs for holiday and pension from April 1st, 2021. Self-employed Personal Assistants will get £11.26 an hour.
Many direct payments for personal assistants will have been increased automatically but not all, so please check yours. If it hasn’t increased or you have any questions contact direct.payments@shropshire.gov.uk.
The framework for agency rates has also been increased so Shropshire Council will now agree rates between the £16.86-£19.62.
 In good community hands
Fiona is 60 years old and living in her own flat for the first time in her life. Living a happy and fulfilling life, she is continuing to develop her potential.
So, in a year when we’ve all been locked down, how has she managed it?
Fiona’s experienced many forms of care in her life; shared living, shared lives, day services support and even convent living in her teenage years. All have been good for a while, but they’ve never really allowed her to grow to her full potential. Carers have tended to do stuff for her rather than support her to build independence.
In 2019, out of the blue, Fiona and the person she was living with had a serious car accident. Both ended up in hospital and with two broken wrists Fiona eventually moved back in with her 90-year-old mother.
It was time for change.
Tessa, Fiona's sister, had been running the Frankwell community café called ‘In good hands’, for many years. She describes it as a ‘community living room’. Realising that with the right kind of support she could involve Fiona in that community, she began to explore the opportunities that Direct Payment support might offer.
Using Direct Payments, Fiona is supported by a team of PAs. Fiona’s life has dramatically changed for the better, despite the circumstances of the last 16 months, because of her growing community. Independently doing her laundry; using the oven, and planning her time including getting involved in arts and craft clubs, going to the gym and shopping, Fiona's in charge of her life. Tessa continues to be significantly involved including managing the Direct Payment. Now Fiona is getting to know her local community better by working in Tessa’s café. She made the most of lockdown to practice her “barista” skills and she will putting those new skills into action when the café opens its doors again on Friday 25th June.
You can find the full story in the July edition of the Shropshire Local Account
Next Newsletter - September 2021
If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch with the Direct Payments team at direct.payments@shropshire.gov.uk.
We would love to hear any of your handy tips and tricks around direct payments to include in the next newsletter.
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