Hi, my name is EW1! We're struggling to recruit PAs for our children
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EW1
Community member Posts: 1 Listener
I am a parent/carer to 2 gorgeous children with autism; learning disabilities; anxiety; and ADHD, and a very bouncy smaller one!
This is my first time here, and I’m looking for help!
Both my children are in receipt of direct payments for PAs. We used to have 3 excellent PAs who’d been with us for years, but they’ve all changed careers/moved away etc in the past 6-12 months!
Both my children are in receipt of direct payments for PAs. We used to have 3 excellent PAs who’d been with us for years, but they’ve all changed careers/moved away etc in the past 6-12 months!
We’re really struggling to recruit, and wondered if anyone knew of anyone, or had any ideas? Social Care have mentioned community support, but when we’ve used them before they sent someone different out each time which does not work at all with our 2!
We’re in the Cambridge area. Many thanks!
EW1
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@EW1 hi and a warm welcome to scope, I'm afraid I have no experience in this area, but I'm sure some of our members who do have will be a long later or tomorrow so keep checking back.2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡
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Welcome to the community @ew1 It's great to have you with us!
Thanks for posting about your situation. I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling to recruit/retain PAs. This is something we've seen crop up on the community a few times, so you're not the only one in this position.
Do you mind me asking what methods you've used so far to advertise for the roles? -
Hello @EW1 . A warm welcome to you on the community! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with us. I am sorry to hear you are struggling to find PA’s for your children with Autism.
I don’t have any professional knowledge or experience in this area. You may like to have a look at these links on Scope:
https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/finding-a-carer-for-your-child/
https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/learning-disabilities-and-autismI hope someone on Scope is able to help you. Take careCommunity Volunteer Host with a passion for human rights.
Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
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@EW1 This is becoming an increasingly difficult issue & I am unsure why? I really thought that we would see an upturn in people working in social care after the pandemic, but I was wrong.
I wish you well in your endeavours.I am a Scope Community Volunteer Adviser with knowledge of "life"! Lived experience including employing personal assistants, being gay, sport & leisure inclusion & participation, mental health issues.What is the bravest thing you've ever said? asked the boy. 'Help,' said the horse. 'Asking for help isn't giving up,' said the horse. 'It's refusing to give up.” -
Is this thread the best one to raise the subject of the difference between PA's and Care Agency staff? As I see it, a PA is an appropriately qualified/trained individual employed directly, rather than via an Agency. The problem or issue many people encounter is that whilst it's pretty easy to track down Agencies, there doesn't seem to be any enthusiasm on the part of Social Services/Councils to provide a formalised list of appropriately trained/qualified PAs. Is this because the Agencies don't want their potential customers finding out who these PAs are, or for some other reason?
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Hi. I'm sorry to see that you're struggling. Maybe it'd be worth speaking to your local council about the Direct Payments and mention you are trying your hardest to recruit and see what help/support they can offer you.
I wish you luck. -
Hi @EW1 I’m finding it extremely hard to find a PA too. Since my daughter’s last PA became pregnant and has now became a mother yourself she, quite rightly, stopped working with us.I viewed this thread hoping that someone had the magic answer but no!
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That sounds like a real challenge @kewilife. Do you mind me asking what the main challenges you've faced in finding a new PA are?
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