Experiences of recruiting private caregivers/PA’s

Claire293

Does anyone else have difficulty recruiting reliable caregivers? It’s a very frustrating situation and the uncertainty/lack of control emphasises the fact that I am obviously disabled and makes me feel more disabled - applying the social model of disability.

I have tried using platforms such as Curam Care which are great as you read the profiles of each caregiver and make a decision based on that. Does anyone have any other recommendations of websites similar to this or care companies that specifically specialise in supporting disabled people (not just elderly people?). I imagine the lack of reliability is a common problem for many of us.

Thanks 🙂

Advocatemum

We found it incredibly difficult recruiting a PA for our daughter. We are now supported by our local county Council.

I hope you are successful. I know it makes a world of difference if uou are fortunate enough yo have good carers.

IrishManc

This will become an issue for me when I get older, beyond pension age, as when I reach age 65 the pension age will probably have risen to at least 70, if not 80, so the discussion is interesting - currently living alone, as I have done for 23 years in the U.K. in a council property, I’m aware of the belief among some that “single people must not be allowed to live alone, with or without “support” of any kind, even if a property is designed for a single person living alone” and this pseudo communist (fascist) belief seems to be gaining traction in some quarters

griff62

hi I’ve got my pip assessment next week. Not looking forward to speaking with benefits office. Does anyone know how long these phone assessments take please? Many thanks ☺️

eeL

IrishManc I've not heard that one and it terrifies me! Where did THAT come from?! As an autistic person with a social phobia I would completely lose the plot if I was forced to live with someone. I've always thought if I was in prison I'd have to do horrendous things everyday to get put in solitary confinement lol That sounds like a Council thing because they see a property with one person in as a 'waste'. I'm remembering back to the rumours that they might force people to rent out spare rooms because you wouldn't be allowed to harbour 'space' someone could live in. As you say, something Orwellian about that idea. Is the 'not allowed to live alone' thing current and active?

durhamjaide2001

yes I can see your difficulties that's why I can only have 1 support worker

Jellihead

In answer to Claire 293 -

Do you receive Direct Payments? Have you had a recent assessment? How many hours were you given for care and support? Every Local Authority has to provide care and support if the assessment has indicated the need. If however you are self funded and are not entitled to care and support under the Care Act 2014 then my advice would be to ask around friends, families and local trusted neighbours and see if anyone knows someone who they can rely on. The average hourly rate for a Personal Assistant/Enabler is about £15.00, which is a lucrative salary and well above the national average. This is because they generally are self employed and have to sort out all of their National Insurance payments, Pension payments and you do not provide sickness benefits or holiday pay.

Do you have a council run company who deal with PA's who are self employed, they will give you information relating to employment contracts, the need for a DBS check, which the PA should already have, references, agreement relating to travel expenses etc.

Good luck!

Jellihead

Jellihead

Billiegoat

Hi IrishManc

I've never heard of that one! In fact I think it's more likely the opposite, that as we get older it is cheaper for the state to keep you living at home with support, regardless of whether you are living alone or not, so I wonder where that has come from, unless I've misunderstood.

BBest Wishes

smokey18

Hi

I receive direct payment from BCC and although my payment has been reduced in hours recently (which I am trying to challenge ), I recruited a carer via word of mouth of a friend and she is amazing. I got so frustrated at the number of different carers that the care agency would send to my home to provide me with personal care each morning and evening. If possible and if you haven’t already ask friends and family if they know anyone who would provide that level of care for you for a fee that meets your budget and expectations. All the best

Claire293

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/936802#Comment_936802

@smokey18 Thanks for sharing your experience and advice. Glad you have had some success hiring via word of mouth, that does seem like a good idea. I completely understand what you mean by agencies sending many different caregivers, there's no certainty or control at all.

Jellihead

Smokey 18

LA's cannot reduce your care and support hours unless they can prove that your condition has significantly improved. Here is the relevant item from Care Act 2014.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance#chapter-4

Good luck!

Claire293

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/936710#Comment_936710

Thanks for replying. That seems quite limiting though, do you have any support if that person is ill/on holiday? For the kind of care and support I need, I ideally need a small team of people who can cover shifts if one of them is unable to work.

Claire293

@Advocatemum Thanks for replying and sharing your experience. I completely agree that having good carers can make a huge difference.

HappyDays62

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/936673#Comment_936673

Mine took just under an hour. Best of luck.

griff62

thank you. ☺️

Advocatemum

Isn't it sad that we have to resort to wishing one another "good luck" with PIP assessments.

Even more sad, is the stress and anxiety these assessments cause for individuals.

Having just come through the process with my learning disabled daughter, I am astounded by the discompassion shown by the assessors.

It is as though disabled people are an underclass! In actual fact, like many, many, disabled people, my daughter works really hard in a low pay, low aspirational job, that more able minded/ bodied people refuse to "get out of bed for".

Those disabled individuals that are not able to work are wholly entitled to benefits. It should not be ab matter of "luck".

I hope anyone who is facing the arduous journey that claiming PIP has become, is able to stay strong.

Make sure you use advocating services if you are vulnerable, and remember this is your entitlement. You should not have to beg, or destroy your wellbeing by focusing on all the negative aspects of your life.

Here is to disabled people being valued as human beings. Maybe the government should sweep its own back yard before considering the disabled as scroungers!!!

griff62

Advocatemum
You are so right in what you are saying. These assessors are not even medically trained. From what I’ve read they only gat a couple of days training if that. I had to go to Albert Bridge House years ago as I have arthritis in my spine & it was horrendous. 🙂

wobblyone

I’ve tried private PA’s I’ve had both good and bad experiences. I cannot cope with agencies because of the different people. I don’t get direct payments so couldn’t afford enough hours to keep the good ones. My local authority were dishonest in my assessment and dragging their heels for a new one. I use my PIP

Most services locally ore focused on children, elderly people and people with learning disabilities. I’ve given up attending medical appointments and I’m considering ending my relationship because I feel it is turning into a dependant relationship which isn’t healthy for either of us.

I wish it was easy to find PAs for working age adults because I’d like to have a social life and go on a proper holiday and work in my chosen area. I’m a bit nervous at finding another PA as the last two were truly horrendous but I don’t want to become dependent on friends.

I hope you have better experiences than me.

wobblyone

I forgot to mention that rates in my area are on average £18 to £28 per hour so I can only afford 3 or 4 hours without an additional cleaner or gardening help.