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CILK Personal Assistants User Group Project

Introduction

It is important for Personal Assistant employers to have an opportunity to discuss and share experience with like-minded individuals. The Centre for Independent Living Kent run a Personal Assistant User Group that provides individuals with the opportunity to learn from each other but also to take a common approach to issues surrounding being a PA employer or using direct payments. They can also discuss policy and practice and influence this in an accountable way at the local level. For example CILK might have a representative attending ‘relevant’ council meetings.

Aim

To have a user group that gives people an informal opportunity to share experience of accessing and using Direct Payments for personal assistance.

Objectives

• Opportunities to meet with PA employers, to learn, listen and to educate others.
• Share and exchange information and ideas with one another
  PA users to give feedback on existing or new enabling services / projects.
• PA users to identify future independent living services
  
  Allows quick information gathering to obtain the views and opinions of disabled people about issues which may affect them and which CILK can offer support on. This may include effects of the latest government legislation; new laws or supporting disabled people who use PA’s to enter employment

Format

• Facilitated by experienced PA employers
• Open to people from all adult client groups; people with physical impairments, learning difficulties and mental health survivors
• Forum for DP recipients who choose to employ their own personal assistants and future perspective PA employers

Content of meetings

Any issue concerning direct payments, personal assistance and independent living
For example:

• Day to day management of staff
• Budgeting and how to manage financial requirements stipulated by the local authority
• Employment issues; Contracts, PAYE, insurance, holidays, sickness etc
• Responsibilities of employing Personal Assistants
• Police checks and take up references
• Emergency Back-up

All information will be treated as confidential

Meetings

CILK is planning to host three PA User Group meetings in the coming months. They will be held in central locations at accessible venues. Parking and refreshments will be available. We are in the process of organising meetings in Ashford, Thanet and Sittingbourne.

Dates and venues to be confirmed.

If you are a PA employer interested in attending any of the PA user group meetings in your area we would like to hear from you.

Please contact CILK on 01622 355777 or Email: enquiry@cilk.org.uk

Personal Development

A CILK Personal Development Course was held in 2003 for 16 people, with trainers from Southampton Centre for Independent Living.

ClLK has been successfully running a Self Advocacy Project for people with a physical or sensory impairment, who reside in a 10 mile radius of Maidstone, employing disabled people under permited work rules.  CILK wishes to build on the success of this project should be always a permanent one time advocacy service across the county of Kent.

If you require Advocacy, Self-advocacy or Independent Living Advocacy, please call 01622 355777 or e-mail: enquiry@cilk.org.uk