Hi, my name is EW1! We're struggling to recruit PAs for our children

EW1
EW1 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited April 2022 in Families and carers
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! 

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

Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    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? 
  • Jo_2022
    Jo_2022 Online Community Member Posts: 295 Empowering
    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-autism

    I hope someone on Scope is able to help you. Take care 
  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    @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.
  • Footloose
    Footloose Online Community Member Posts: 34 Contributor
    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?
  • bg844
    bg844 Online Community Member Posts: 3,923 Championing
    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.
  • kewilife
    kewilife Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    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! 

    If you do find a solution @EW1 please share it here.

    thanks.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    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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