Contents

ILF Scotland Re-Opening Update
National Care Service Update
Transition Fund
Disclosure Scotland PVG Changes
Pension Age Disability Payment Replacing Attendance Allowance
Changes to Adult Disability Payment
Report on Unpaid Carers
Carer Support Payments Scotland
Family Fund Grant
News in Northern Ireland
Disability Rights Bill Northern Ireland
News - General
Strategy Engagement Events
ILF Awards/Nominations
ILF Scotland Recognised as a Top Family-Friendly Employer
Switching From Analogue to Digital Landlines
Complaints
Tell Us Your Story

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ILF Scotland Re-Opening Update

It is now well over six months since the Independent Living Fund re-opened its doors, so we thought we would provide a short update on progress so far.

A reminder that to apply to the re-opened ILF, the person must:

• live in Scotland
• be aged 16 years or over at the time of application
• receive Self-Directed Support (SDS)
• receive SDS of at least £800 per week

Currently, local authorities submit applications on behalf of people and ILF Scotland assess each application.

The maximum award that ILF Scotland can pay is £330 per week. Any funding awarded by ILF Scotland will be additional and complementary to the statutory funding provided by a person’s local authority.

We have been working closely with Social Work teams across the country to raise awareness of the

fund and the application process. We held over 80 sessions with local teams and are delighted with the positive reception the re-opened fund has received. Application numbers are now growing steadily with around 350 received so far.

The main reasons for applications, in line with the fund’s priorities, are:

• Additional support to access social and recreational opportunities
• People at risk of family breakdown due to unpaid carer stress
• People who require assistance to develop or maintain relationships
• People who are experiencing loneliness and isolation
• Risk of residential care or non- community-based living

The Co-Production Working Group and its sub-groups have now met 16 times in the last year. We are grateful to the members of the group for this incredible commitment, and for all their help in getting the fund opened on time. Their work is on-going, as we learn from the experience of re-opening and look to make improvements in the coming months. The three key areas the group are working on at present are:

• Recognising the value of unpaid care in relation to accessing the fund
• Looking at alternative routes to apply to the fund
• Reviewing the “Threshold Sum” – the key principle for accessing the fund.

You can keep up to date and learn more about re-opening, including our first case study highlighting the benefits of the fund, by visiting our website here: https://ilf.scot/independent- living-fund/re-opening-ilf/

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National Care Service Update

At ILF Scotland, we are closely following the development of the proposed National Care Service (NCS) in Scotland, which holds significant importance for both our organisation and the disabled community in Scotland.

Professor Derek Feeley, whose review of adult social care recommended the creation of the NCS, highlighted the role of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in the future of the service. He stated: “…we see the Independent Living Fund operating in future as part of the National Care Service. In effect, it will provide a national service of self- directed support to people with the most complex needs in the country.”

The introduction of the NCS could have a profound impact on how we support disabled people in leading independent lives. The Feeley Report also recognised ILF Scotland as a key strength within the current Scottish social care system, suggesting it could serve as a solid foundation for building a better system. We believe ILF Scotland has an important role to play in shaping the future NCS.

To read the Feeley Report visit:
https://ilf.scot/go/feeley-report

As our Scottish Advisory Group Chair, Jim Elder-Woodward put it: “We hope that the values of ILF Scotland can inspire the NCS to become a larger, purpose-driven organisation that provides essential resources for people to lead fulfilling lives. For this vision to come to life, ILF Scotland should have a place not only on the NCS’s central board but also on its local boards.”

In our previous newsletter published in July 2024, we shared that the National Care Service (Scotland)
Bill was progressing into its second stage. However, recentdevelopments have caused delays, and the stage two parliamentary debate scheduled for 26 November has been postponed. A new date will be set soon. The Scottish Government remains committed to the NCS but has indicated that more time is needed to ensure the right approach and gather necessary support to move the Bill forward.

Social Care Minister Maree Todd has addressed this in a letter to stakeholders, which you can read in full here: https://ilf.scot/go/national- care-service-letter

In response, Scotland’s Disabled People’s Organisations have expressed their concerns in an open letter, which you can read here: https://ilf.scot/go/dpo-open-letter

At ILF Scotland, we will continue to monitor the situation and stay in close contact with the Scottish Government's SponsorTeam as the NCS progresses.

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Transition Fund

Through the Transition Fund, ILF Scotland provides one-off discretionary grants of up to £4,000 to young disabled people in Scotland aged between 16 and 25 years. These grants help young disabled people to:

• try new things
• become more engaged and active in their community
• enhance their independence and confidence
• help them to spend more time with other people

Videos were created for some of the events and these are now available on our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@ilfscotland

Transition Fund Hits 20million Milestone

Over the last seven years, ILF Scotland’s Transition Fund has become a lifeline for young disabled people in Scotland. Designed to support individuals aged 16 to 25, the fund has awarded over £20 million pounds, helping countless young people navigate the critical transition from childhood to adulthood.

Since its inception in December 2017, the Transition Fund has been a key resource in fostering independence and encouraging community engagement among young disabled people. Whether it’s pursuing new hobbies, enhancing social skills, or building confidence to enter the workforce, the fund has opened doors to experiences that might otherwise have been out of reach for many young people.

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Disclosure Scotland PVG Changes

Important Information for ILF Scotland Recipients who employ Personal Assistants (PAs). The PVG Scheme is changing and will affect your PAs.

From 1 April 2025, Personal Assistants in Scotland will be required to join the PVG membership scheme. They are being encouraged to apply now. PVG stands for Protecting Vulnerable Groups and aims to help make sure that people who are deemed unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do so.

The PVG Scheme will become mandatory for those in regulated roles as of 1 April 2025, therefore, it will be a legal requirement for Personal Assistants to join the PVG scheme.

Find out more here at https:// ilf.scot/blog-post/disclosure- scotland-pvg-changes.

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Pension Age Disability Payment Replacing Attendance Allowance

New guidelines have been established for a Scottish Government benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment, designed for individuals of pension age with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

This benefit, which replaces the Department for Work and Pensions' Attendance Allowance in Scotland, can provide extra financial support based on care needs related to a disability or ongoing health issue.

It is available to those who have reached State Pension age and is paid at two different rates - lower and higher - depending on the level of care required. If you are already receiving Attendance Allowance, you do not need to take any action. Read more: https://www.mygov.scot/ pension-age-disability-payment.

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Changes to Adult Disability Payment

The interim report of the Adult Disability Payment Independent Review has been published.
The report marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to assess and enhance the effectiveness of Adult Disability Payment in meeting the needs of disabled adults across Scotland.

Phase Two of the review will look at reviewing and improving eligibility criteria of the payment. The final report will be published in July 2025.

To read more visit: https://ilf.scot/ go/adult-disability-payment.

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Report on Unpaid Carers

New research commissioned by Carers UK has found that 28% of unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty with 8% classed as being in “deep poverty”.

One of the main drivers of poverty highlighted in the report is the difficulty unpaid carers have combining paid work with their caring role.

Read more about the report on the Carers UK website at https:// ilf.scot/go/unpaid-carers

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Carer Support Payments Scotland

If you look after someone who is disabled or has a long-term health condition you might be entitled to Carer Support Payment.

In Scotland, Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

To be eligible, you must provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets certain disability benefits.

There are many ways people can provide care including:

helping someone with washing and dressing
• managing household bills
• taking the cared for person to appointments
• providing emotional support

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you need to:
• be 16 or over
• provide 35 hours or more of care a week to someone of any age who is getting certain disability benefits
• earn £151 per week or less on average after some deductions
• live in an area where the benefit is available

Read more at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment

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Family Fund Grant

The Family Fund provides a wide range of grants to families living in Scotland and Northern Ireland with a disabled or seriously ill child or young adult on a low income.

The fund provides funding for items to meet a child’s additional support needs and to make life easier.
For example, kitchen appliances, clothing, bedding, sensory or play equipment, technology
for your child, family breaks. Families can apply for a Family Fund grant every 24 months. You can apply if:

• you’re the main carer
for a disabled or seriously ill child, aged 17 or younger
• you have been resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland for at least six months
• you have a low income from working, or benefits
Visit https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/apply-for-a-grant for more information and to apply.

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News in Northern Ireland

Recruitment for the NI Advisory Group

The Northern Ireland Advisory Group (previously called the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group) is seeking new members, specifically current recipients of ILF.

Group members play a crucial role by:
• offering feedback and advice on how the fund operates
• sharing their personal experiences with the fund
• contributing to the development of policies

If you are an ILF recipient living in Northern Ireland and are interested in joining the Group to help shape our future work, we would love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with Linda Scott, ILF Scotland’s Director for Policy, Improvement, and Engagement, by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot who will be happy to connect with you and discuss how you can get involved.

Niqi Rainey, Northern Ireland Advisory Group Member and award manager for her daughter said:
“By joining the ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group you now know your feedback counts, that your opinion gets listened to. I have been able to share my experiences over the past nine years and this has helped shape the changes that ILF Scotland have brought to the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.”

Caroline Wheeler, Northern Ireland Advisory Group Member and award manager for her son said:
“My Lee would have been placed in a nursing home if it wasn’t for ILF Scotland being introduced in Northern Ireland. Now we have a choice and can have a say in how to help recipients live more independently. If more families or recipients join the Northern Ireland Advisory Group, it will open up discussion around helping people with complex needs.”

Robert Dallas, Northern Ireland Advisory Group Member and award manager for his son said:
“Over the years our feedback has been listened to. There have been various policy changes that the Northern Ireland Advisory Group influenced and both policies changed for the better because of our input.”

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

ILF Scotland’s NI Advisory Group Affiliate Member, Amanda Paul was proud to attend today’s conference at Belfast City Hall to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This year’s theme, "Breaking Barriers, Building Futures," inspires us to work toward a more inclusive future.

Throughout the event, disabled people and their advocates shared progress in employment, education, politics, and public life, while discussing the challenges that remain and what's needed moving forward.

This event marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities and is one of a series of events celebrating 25 years of the Equality Commission.

Read more here - ECNI - News, Press Releases, Equality Commission, Northern Ireland.

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Disability Rights Bill Northern Ireland

In November, Danny Donnelly MLA brought a motion to the Northern Ireland Assembly, urging the Minister for Communities to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into Northern Ireland law.

Mr Donnelly also outlined plans to introduce a Private Members’ Bill to ensure statutory agencies in Northern Ireland give due regard to their responsibilities under the UNCRPD. This marks an important step towards addressing long-standing gaps in equality legislation and advancing the rights of disabled people.

Have your say!
The consultation on this proposed law is still open. Share your views by completing the survey: https://ilf.scot/go/disability-rights-ni

David McDonald, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Advisory Group, leaving Parliament Buildings, on a bitter Belfast evening, together with one of his valued PAs, Daniel McGrattan, following their attendance at the motion being put forward by Danny Donnelly MLA to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Northern Irish Law.

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News - General

Important Note for Award Managers - Care Provider Cost Increases
We know that the cost of care and support from care providers is increasing year on year, in line with increases to the minimum wage for social care support staff.

If you use your ILF to purchase support from a care provider organisation, they should notify you in writing in advance of any increase to their charges.

It is very important that you pass this information on to ILF Scotland so that we can increase your ILF award,

if appropriate, to make sure you have sufficient funds to pay your increased charges. We normally only backdate increases for four weeks so please forward this to us as soon as possible.

In Scotland, the minimum hourly wage for care and support staff is increasing from £12.00 to £12.60 early next year, so you may hear about planned increases from your provider in the next few months.

Please send your letter to enquiries@ILF.scot or ILF Scotland, Ground Floor, Denholm House, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6G

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Strategy Engagement Events

In November and December, we held four online engagement events to help us develop ILF Scotland’s next Strategic Plan which will run from 2025 to 2028.

We hope to host an in-person event in the New Year for those recipients who are unable to participate in an online event. Visit our website https://ilf.scot/ events/ for more information.

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ILF Awards/Nominations

In September this year, ILF Scotland was nominated for a Public Finance award. The Public Finance Awards recognise the people, products and services that demonstrate excellence
and originality within public finance.

ILF Scotland was delighted to be shortlisted in the category of Delivering Sustainability and Social Value for their Northern Ireland Social Return on Investment Study. Unfortunately, we didn’t win this time but still good to be recognised for our efforts.

The study we submitted demonstrates the value to society of enabling disabled people to live independently in their communities.

Read the Delivering Sustainability and Social Value for their Northern Ireland Social Return on Investment Study https://ilf.scot/publication/ social-return-on-investment-sroi- evaluation-northern-ireland/

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ILF Scotland Recognised as a Top Family-Friendly Employer

Working Families has unveiled its annual list of the UK’s most flexible and family-friendly employers, with ILF Scotland securing a spot in the Top 10 competing with organisations from various sectors, including law, finance, education, energy, and public services.

Read more: https://workingfamilies.org.uk/news-events/news/top-employers-for-working-families-2024-announced/

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Switching From Analogue to Digital Landlines

The technology that you currently use to make landline phone calls is due to be upgraded over the next few years.

This means that by January 2027, your current landline phone will need to be upgraded in order to work.

In future, calls will need to be with a connection that uses broadband.

You don’t need to do anything until your provider tells you your telephone service is changing, or until you decide to change your telephone service.

Using a broadband connection will mean that your phone won’t work during a power cut. If you rely on your landline - for example, you don’t have a mobile phone, you’re unable to use a mobile phone or you don’t have mobile signal inside your home - your provider must make sure you are able to contact the emergency services during a power cut. This could be in the form of battery back-up so your landline will continue to work or giving you a basic mobile phone to use in this situation.

Visit the OFCOM advice page for more information: https://ilf.scot/go/bt-landlines

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Complaints

The team at ILF Scotland is committed to providing a high-quality service. However, we understand that sometimes things might not go as planned. If our service does not meet your expectations, please let us know so we can work to resolve the issue.

We value all feedback, including complaints, as it helps us improve the way we do things. For more information, please see our Complaints Handling Procedure at https://ilf.scot/ go/complaints-handling
You can also view how to make a complaint and our current complaint statistics at https://ilf.scot/how-to-make-a-complaint

To make it easier for you to share any concerns, we now have a new email address: complaints@ilf.scot. Please contact us directly so we can address your concerns as quickly as possible.

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Tell Us Your Story

Case Study – Marylouise

https://ilf.scot/case-study/ mary-louises-story/

Case Study – Obioma

https://ilf.scot/case-study/ obiomas-story/

Case Study – Rhys

Accessing the re-opened

Independent Living Fund has enabled Rhys to become more engaged with his local community. Across the week, Rhys goes swimming, plays wheelchair football, attends music festivals and is also a full- time college student studying Routes to Careers. You can read more about how Rhys plans to use the additional funding from ILF Scotland on our website.

https://ilf.scot/case- study/rhys-story/

We believe that sharing your stories is the most powerful way to show others how our funding positively impacts people with disabilities.

We would be thrilled to hear from our recipients about how ILF Scotland's support has helped you reach your independent living goals, just as Marylouise and Obioma have.

Email: communications@ilf.scot

or call our main number on 0300 200 2022.

Have your say!

During a recent audit of our communications and engagement activity we received a ‘good’ rating, however we are always striving to improve and would love to hear from you to know what we can do better.

If you have any ideas or would like to make any suggestions for what you want to see in next year’s newsletters, please let us know.

We are also keen to ensure that all recipients and award managers receive communication in a
way that suits their needs. If you want to receive updates in a different way, please tell us.

Thanks for reading this newsletter. We hope you found it interesting. If you have feedback or ideas for future issues, please get in touch. We would love to hear from our recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you. Email: communications@ilf.scot or call our main number 0300 200 2022.

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Contents

Independent Living Fund Re-Opens in Scotland
Joint Event ILF Scotland Advisory Group and Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group
Co-Production Videos
Join the NI Stakeholder Group
The Wider Impact of ILF Scotland Funding
Appointment of New Minister of Health for Northern Ireland
New ILF Scotland Board Director Appointed
ILF Scotland wins Best Small Employer at the 2024 Working Families Best Practice Awards
Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Report 2024 to 2026
Corporate Parenting
Complaints
Transition Fund
Enabling social security information sharing with local authorities
Carer Support Payments
Personal Assistants can become members of the social supermarket - Company Shop
PANS - PA Network Scotland
Review of Adult Disability Payment
National Care Service update
Young Carer Grant
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Pension Age Disability Payment Pilots
Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny, and Regulation of Social Care in Scotland (IRISR)
Scotland Cares Research into Unpaid Carers Launched
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance Planned
State of Caring 2023 - Juggling Paid Employment and Unpaid Care | Carers UK
Disability Action Plan
Missing out 2024: £23 billion of support is unclaimed each year
Tell Us Your Story / Have Your Say

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Independent Living Fund Re-Opens in Scotland

The Independent Living Fund has now re-opened! After many years of campaigning by disabled people and their organisations, everyone at ILF Scotland was delighted to receive the first application.

The Independent Living Fund re-opened in April 2024 to new applicants in Scotland for the first time since 2010, delivering on a key commitment made in the Scottish Government’s 2023 to 2024 Programme for Government.

Up to 1,000 additional disabled people with the most complex needs will now be able to access the Fund. The Fund supports people to have greater choice over their social care and support with many recipients choosing to pay for Personal Assistants to assist them in leading more active, independent lives.

ILF Scotland Chief Executive Officer Peter Scott OBE said:

“We are delighted that the Independent Living Fund is once again open to new applications in Scotland.“ We understand the significance of the decision to re-open the Fund, which in the first year alone will enable up to 1,000 disabled people to access the support they need, helping them to overcome the barriers to independent living they face every day.

“In preparation for re-opening, we have spent a lot of time listening to disabled people, their organisations and other key stakeholders, through a co-production process. Our objective was to re open the Fund in a way that provides the best opportunity to maximise its impact for those who need it most.

“Today marks a significant step for ILF Scotland as we continue our work to positively impact the lives of many disabled people across Scotland in the years ahead.”

Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, Chair of the ILF Scotland Advisory Group, said:

“As a recipient of ILF Scotland funds, I am delighted that the Scottish Government has decided to reopen the Fund to new people, for I know the benefits this will accrue to the many it will now be able to support. 

“I was also a member of the Advisory Group which helped Derek Feeley draft his report of The Independent Review of Adult Social Care; one of its recommendations was to reopen the ILF. This was because ILF Scotland’s governance, operation, and the inclusion of its service users, reflected the Review’s description of the purpose of social care support.  

“Within this purpose, taken from the point of view of the service recipient, one finds such terms as ‘a life of choice and control’, ‘active citizenship’, ‘human rights’, ‘independent living’, ‘wellbeing’ and ‘equity’.  ILF Scotland recognises such terms in its work with disabled people. Therefore, it, itself, can be recognised as a purpose-led organisation. In so being and doing, it empowers its recipients to increase their agency, to have real choice and control over their richer and more purpose-led lives.

“I am therefore delighted the Scottish Government has recognised the true value of independent living and the life-transforming potential of ILF Scotland.  I truly hope that the seeds of this purpose-led organisation can germinate within the development of the wider proposed National Care Service.” 

Currently the route to application is via Local Authority social work practitioners with a range of Access Principles:

• The person lives in Scotland
• They are aged 16 years or over at the time of application
• They access Self-Directed Support
• They receive a net weekly budget of at least £800 per week

All submitted applications will be assessed by ILF Scotland. The maximum award that ILF Scotland is able to pay is £330 per week. Any funding awarded by ILF Scotland will be additional and complementary to the statutory funding provided by a person’s Local Authority.

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Joint Event ILF Scotland Advisory Group and Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group

“The Purpose of Life is a life of Purpose”

For the first time in five years, members of ILF Scotland’s Advisory Group and Northern Ireland’s Stakeholders Group met in person in Edinburgh on Thursday 28 March 2024. A productive day of meetings, discussing topics such as the re-opening of the Fund and recruitment and retention of PAs, was followed by an evening reception held in the Garden Lobby at the Scottish Parliament.

The reception, hosted and sponsored by Dame Jackie Baillie MSP, heard from a number of current and potential recipients from both Scotland and Northern Ireland, their moving testimony illustrating the benefits of the Fund in helping disabled people live a “Life of Purpose”.

As well as our recipients, those present heard from Maree Todd, MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Robin Swann MLA, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Health, Anne-Marie Monaghan, Chairperson ILF Scotland Board, and Peter Scott, ILF Scotland CEO.     

You can watch a replay of the Live Stream on our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@ilfscotland

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Co-Production Videos

Back at the end of 2023 and into 2024, we held a series of Co-Production Events to gather views for the re-opening of the Independent Living Fund in Scotland.

Videos were created for some of the events and these are now available on our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@ilfscotland

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Join the NI Stakeholder Group

We have two groups consisting of Independent Living Fund recipients and their representatives; One in Northern Ireland and one in Scotland. The Northern Ireland Stakeholder group is currently looking for new members.

Group members provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about their experiences of using the Fund
• input into policy developments

If you receive funding from ILF Scotland, we are keen to hear from you if you think you might want to join one of these groups and help shape our future work. Please contact Linda Scott (ILF Scotland’s Director for Policy, Improvement and Engagement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot and she will arrange to get in touch and discuss further with you.

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The Wider Impact of ILF Scotland Funding

The ILF Scotland Stakeholder Group in Northern Ireland commissioned a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study in 2019. The study looked at the impact of ILF Scotland funding on specific social outcomes: emotional wellbeing, health maintenance, sustaining natural support and relationships, and feeling independent.

The study found that for each £1 of ILF Scotland Funding, £10.89 was generated in social value. The key beneficiaries identified were Recipients, Personal Assistants (PAs) Health & Social Care Trusts, Families and informal carers and the Independent Living Movement.

In 2023 the group further commissioned an update to the SROI to consider any changes since 2019. This analysis determined the social value accrued from ILF Scotland funding has increased and for each £1 of funding, £13 is generated in social value. This means that the fund’s overall impact for stakeholders has increased by 20% with recipients being  the main benefactors of this.

A subsequent comparison analysis was carried out early in 2024 for Scotland, and the findings pretty much mirrored that of Northern Ireland. This confirms that irrespective of geography, ILF Scotland funding helped to build resilience to manage and overcome challenges recipients encounter in daily life as well as unprecedented situations including the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Appointment of New Minister of Health for Northern Ireland

Mike Nesbitt, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), representing the Ulster Unionist Party, became Minister of Health on 29 May 2024.

Mr Nesbitt replaces Robin Swann, who was the Minister of Health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and who is now standing for election in the UK General Election.

Speaking to the media in Belfast, Mr Nesbitt said it was “the political honour of my life to have the opportunity to follow Robin Swann into the role and it’s certainly the ultimate political challenge of my life to take up as Health Minister at this time.”

Outlining his plans, Mr Nesbitt said health inequalities represented the “overarching issue for so many of the critical challenges facing health and social care” adding that as the new Health Minister, he is not prepared to implement “catastrophic cuts” to services.

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New ILF Scotland Board Director Appointed

ILF Scotland are pleased to welcome Kirsty Aird to our Board of Directors from January 2024. Kirsty  is a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and has worked in the financial sector for 12 years across both large corporations and smaller consultancy environments. She has had regular involvement in internal and external audit requirements, regulatory requirements, and in facilitating key financial and risk management decisions.

Throughout her career, she has taken a keen interest in diversity and inclusion initiatives, including leading working parties for recruitment equity and mental health issues.

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ILF Scotland wins Best Small Employer at the 2024 Working Families Best Practice Awards

Outstanding employers and family-friendly champions have been celebrated this past week as Working Families, the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers, announced the winners of the 2024 Best Practice Awards. The annual awards, held at London’s Apothecaries' Hall, celebrate forward thinking employers whose inclusive cultures and flexible working practices are setting new standards for employee-friendly workplaces.

ILF Scotland won the Best Small Employer award. The judges said that ILF Scotland are continually striving to enhance their ways of working, and with a genuinely supportive culture and leadership, they epitomise walking the talk.

Aileen McNiven, Head of Business Services at ILF Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to have been honoured with the Best Small Employer Award at this year’s Best Practice Awards. It’s wonderful to have been recognised as being a truly flexible and life-friendly employer.

“We’re particularly proud that the judges saw our dedication to giving our staff choice and control to enable them to bring their best selves to work. In doing this, we can deliver better outcomes for disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

See https://workingfamilies.org.uk/news-events/news/2024-best-practice-award-winners/ for more information.

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Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Report 2024 to 2026

We are pleased to introduce our third Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Report. This document highlights the progress we have made in delivering our 2022 to 2024 equality outcomes. It also sets out our equality outcomes for 2024 to 2026 and the actions we will take to achieve them.

Read the document at: https://ilf.scot/publication/mainstreaming-and-equality-outcomes-report-2024-2026/

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Corporate Parenting

We have recently published our Corporate Parenting Plan which outlines how ILF Scotland will meet its commitment to supporting the Scottish Government as corporate parents. The number of care experienced young people accessing the Transition Fund continues to grow and young people age 16 and over can now make an application to the Independent Living Fund for the first time.

More on our updated plan can be found at: https://ilf.scot/publication/corporate-parenting-plan-2024-to-2027

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Complaints

ILF Scotland staff are committed to providing a high-quality service at all times.

However, we recognise that things can go wrong sometimes. If you are unhappy with the level of service you have received from us, please let us know.

We welcome all complaints and use this important and valuable feedback as an opportunity to improve our services further through, for example, revising our procedures, delivering staff training, etc.

In 2023 to 2024, ILF Scotland received 26 complaints. 6 related to the Independent Living Fund and 20 to the Transition Fund, broken down as follows:

Independent Living Fund

• Number of complaints: 6
• Stage 1 - resolved at point of contact: 0
• Stage 2 - investigated: 6
• Of those investigated, number upheld: 2

Transition Fund

• Number of complaints: 20
• Stage 1 - resolved at point of contact: 4
• Stage 2 - investigated: 16
• Of those investigated, number upheld: 14

It is easier for us to resolve complaints if you make them quickly and directly to ILF Scotland. We now have a new email address for this purpose - complaints@ilf.scot.

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Transition Fund

The ILF Scotland Transition Fund is a discretionary fund that can provide a one-off grant to young disabled people aged 16 to 25 years to help them to become more active in their communities. There is a significant demand on the Fund at the moment and waiting time for us to consider applications is around 19 weeks. You can find out more about our Transition Fund and how to apply https://ilf.scot/transition-fund.

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Enabling social security information sharing with local authorities

New regulations have been issued in Scotland in relation to social security information-sharing powers.

Into force from 16 January 2024, the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (SSI.No.8/2024) amend existing provisions that are contained in the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (SSI.No.178/2021) regarding the sharing of information obtained by the Scottish Ministers in connection with their social security functions.

You can read the The Social Security Information-Sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 on the Government's Legislation website at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2024/8/contents/made.

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Carer Support Payments

The launch of Carer Support Payment, which is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, is expanding to the areas of Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire on the 24 June.

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Personal Assistants can become members of the social supermarket - Company Shop

ILF Scotland would like to advise our Scottish recipients that your Personal Assistants (PAs) are eligible to become members of social supermarket ‘Company Shop’.

Company Shop is the UK’s first social supermarket and has been operating for 10 years. They work with manufacturers and stockists to secure surplus stock, enabling customers to save around 50% on their weekly shopping while reducing food waste.

Company Shop has two branches in Scotland:

• Unit 12, Renfrew Trading Estate, Argyll Avenue, Renfrew, PA4 9EN.
• Dumbryden Road, Edinburgh, EH14 2AB

Log on to www.companyshopgroup.co.uk for more information or visit our news pages at https://ilf.scot/blog-post/social-supermarket-company-shop/

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PANS - PA Network Scotland

We are pleased to advise Scottish recipients of an organisation that their PAs may wish to join that offers a range of networking, training and employment opportunities.

The PA Network Scotland (PANS) is a professional membership organisation, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by WEA (Workers Educational Association). It offers members an ID Badge and access to a range of information and training, including:

• PA Handbook, developed along with SDS organisations
• Regional networking through events and Facebook groups
• Mediation services
• Advice line/email for general enquiries
• Blue Sky Social Care card with discount benefits
• An Employment hub

PANS is free to join and more details can be found at https://panetworkscotland.org.uk/.

Blue Sky Social Care Card

The Blue Sky Social Care Card is included in PANS membership and it can also be accessed directly on their website https://blueskycard.uk/.

The Blue Sky Social Care Card is available to social care staff and acts as an ID badge but also offers a range of discounts at high street stores and online retailers. It costs £5 a year for membership but ILF Scotland have agreed to meet the cost of this via payment to Fund recipients.

Blue Light Card

There is also the Blue Light Card which is for those working across various emergency services, Armed forces and NHS. ILF Scotland are working to be able to offer this card to PAs and carers and will update via our social media channels – watch this space!

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Review of Adult Disability Payment

Edel Harris OBE, former Chief Executive of the charity Mencap, has been appointed to chair the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.

The independent review – a Programme for Government commitment – will consider people’s experiences of the Scottish benefit to ensure it continues to meet the needs of disabled people.

The Chair of the independent review will complete an interim report for Scottish Ministers by September 2024, highlighting initial priorities before submitting a final report by June next year.
You can read more on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/news/ensuring-adult-disability-payments-meet-peoples-needs/

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National Care Service update

NCS Forum Reports Published

National Care Service (NCS) National Forum 2023 took place at the Glasgow Science Centre on 30 October 2023. A report has now been published which provides a brief overview of the NCS and the purpose of the annual National Forum and also summarises the programme for the day, including information on where to view the speeches. The report concludes by outlining the next steps for co-design of the National Care Service. All reports can be found on gov.scot/ncs.

NCS Bill Passes Stage 1

The National Care Service (Scotland) Bill passed Stage 1 in the Scottish parliament on 29 February meaning it's one step closer to the National Care Service becoming enshrined in law.

The Bill now moves into Stage 2 where amendments will be considered by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee before Stage 3, when the full Parliament makes a final vote on whether to pass the Bill.
 
As it moves into Stage 2, they will continue to engage with those with lived experience of community health and social care.

You can see the progress of the bill at  https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/national-care-service-scotland-bill 

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Young Carer Grant

Are you a young carer aged 16-18 and living in Scotland?

You could be eligible for the yearly Young Carer Grant.

You can spend it on anything you like and don’t have to pay it back.

As well as the grant, you could be eligible for extra non-cash benefits on you Young Scot card (https://www.facebook.com/youngscot)

Visit https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant for more information and to apply.

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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The bill incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish Law has received Royal Assent. You can read more about the bill at https://www.gov.scot/policies/human-rights/childrens-rights/.

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Pension Age Disability Payment Pilots

Regulations have been laid for a new Scottish Government benefit for people of pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition. Pension Age Disability Payment will replace the DWP's Attendance Allowance for people in Scotland.

Read more: https://bit.ly/PADP

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Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny, and Regulation of Social Care in Scotland (IRISR)

The IRISR Recommendation Report was published in 2023 and made 38 high level strategic recommendations. The Scottish Government response to the IRISR Recommendation Report was published on 6 March 2024.

Read the report at: https://ilf.scot/go/irisr.

See the Scottish Government Response at: https://ilf.scot/go/irisr-reponse

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Scotland Cares Research into Unpaid Carers Launched

A new pan-Scotland research project hopes to raise awareness of the real-life challenges and uncertainties faced by unpaid carers. Scotland Cares, a collaborative project across research institutions and the third sector, aims to promote the visibility of the vital role unpaid carers play. Researchers hope the project will give unpaid carers a voice, with the potential that their experiences could shape government policy at a time where Scotland continues to develop and consult on the ‘National Care Service’.

Read more about Scotland Cares on the Alliance website at https://ilf.scot/go/scotland-cares.

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Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance Planned

Plans for a Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, a new benefit to provide continued support to around 66,000 adults with a disability or long-term health condition, have been unveiled.

Subject to legislative approval it Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is expected to launch in early 2025.

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State of Caring 2023 - Juggling Paid Employment and Unpaid Care | Carers UK

Nearly half of working age carers lose £12,000 of income per year because they provide care.

A new report by Carers Scotland sets out the struggles that unpaid carers face in juggling paid work and unpaid care and the support that can help them stay in or return to work.

https://www.carersuk.org/reports/state-of-caring-2023-juggling-paid-employment-and-unpaid-care

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Disability Action Plan

The UK Government has launched its new Disability Action Plan – 32 steps it is taking to make the UK the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live, work and thrive.

It sets out the immediate actions the UK government will take in 2024 to improve disabled people’s everyday lives.

Read the press release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-disability-action-plan-to-make-uk-most-accessible-place-in-the-world Read the Disability Action Plan at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-action-plan

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Missing out 2024: £23 billion of support is unclaimed each year

Over 8 million people could be missing out on an average of £2,700 per year in rights-based benefits. This is an increase of £4 billion on last year's report.

https://policyinpractice.co.uk/publication/missing-out-2024

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Tell Us Your Story / Have Your Say

Case Study - Joan

https://ilf.scot/go/joan

We think the best way to tell other disabled people about the positive difference our funding makes to you is through telling your stories.

We would love to hear from our recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you achieve your independent living outcomes just like Joan did.

Email: communications@ilf.scot or call our main number on 0300 200 2022.

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Contents

Changes to the ILF Scotland Board of Directors
Sixth year as a Top 30 Employer with Working Families
Public Finance Award Finalists
Review Visits
COVID-19 Update
Facemasks
New Outbreaks of COVID-19
Blue Sky Social Care Card
Fifty Years of Family Fund
Scotland
ILF is Re-Opening in Scotland!
Re-Opening Co-Production Events
National Care Service
Summit to Mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Migration to Universal Credit (UC)
Self-Directed Support
Scotland Advisory Group
Care Leaver Payment Consultation
Carer Support Payment
British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan 2023-2029
imPAct Newsletter
The EVOC Red Book
Northern Ireland
Join Use and Share Your Views
Michaela receives her MBE
Independent Living NI Event 2023
Charity Spotlight: Spinal Injury Northern Ireland (Sp.I.N.I.)
NIE Networks and NI Water Care Registers
The Move to Universal Credit: Get Ready
Transition Fund
Transition Fund recipient Eireann on Care Experienced Week
Transition Fund Recipient Andrew's Dundee Culture Recognised in Parliament
Transition Fund Young Ambassador's Group
Tell us your story
Have Your Say

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Changes to the ILF Scotland Board of Directors

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP announced updates to the ILF Scotland Board of Directors.

We are pleased to welcome Anne‑Marie Monaghan who has taken over the role of Chairperson, and new Board Directors, Alison Nicolson, Stephanie Hayle, and Kirsty Aird.

Anne-Marie said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the Chair of the Board of ILF Scotland, especially at this exciting time when the fund is re-opening. Dynamic leadership in the coming months will be crucial as we listen to disabled people about how to use this new investment to support their full citizenship.

“I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Directors. I look forward to continuing the work of the Board, alongside ILF Scotland staff, engaging with all our stakeholders and working in partnership with the Scottish Government as we seek to improve opportunities for disabled people.”

The appointments follow the end of office terms of two previous Board directors: Susan Douglas- Scott CBE, who served as Chair of the ILF Scotland, and Alan Dickson, who was Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Both served on the Board since ILF Scotland was established in 2015

Read the full story: https://ilf.scot/go/new-board

Read more about the ILF Scotland Board at: https://ilf.scot/about-us/our-board

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Sixth year as a Top 30 Employer with Working Families

The charity Working Families has named ILF Scotland as one of the top family-friendly employers in the UK – for a sixth year!

Working Families’ mission is to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace.

ILF Scotland gained its place on the list by showcasing its flexible and family-friendly approach to work.

Read more at: https://ilf.scot/go/top-30-employer

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Public Finance Award Finalists

ILF Scotland was the winner of the prestigious Public Finance Awards in the ‘Aligning Local Services Category’ and was a finalist in the ‘Excellence in Governance and Risk Management’ category. The ceremony was held in London on 28 November.

Paul Hayllor, Director of Digital and Information Services, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised for our commitment to providing exemplary services designed for the disabled people that we serve.”

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Review Visits

ILF Scotland in-person review visits have resumed. We will contact you in advance to arrange a suitable time and date for a visit. We will also contact your Health and Social Care Partnership or Trust and invite them to the meeting to talk about any changes to your support arrangements. If someone manages the money we pay you (an Award Manager), they should attend the visit, too.

It is important to keep your records up to date as our assessors will ask for these as part of your review.

Refer to Your Responsibilities Guide (https://ilf.scot/go/your-responsibilities) for more details.

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COVID-19 Update

Facemasks

Advice in Scotland is that people should wear facemasks according to clinical need based on infection prevention and control advice.

The use of face coverings is still recommended in indoor settings accessible to the public across Northern Ireland.

Read more on our website at: https://ilf.scot/go/facemasks

ILF Scotland staff will remain vigilant and continue to ask recipients and Award Managers their preference for wearing masks before meeting with them.

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New Outbreaks of COVID-19

If your PA cannot support you because of a new outbreak of COVID-19, you can still pay them their full wage or top up what they get through Statutory Sick Pay and you can organise replacement support. If you do not have enough funding in your ILF account to cover this, or if you need additional finance for other COVID-19 related expenditure, please contact us on 0300 200 2022 or email us at enquiries@ilf.scot

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Blue Sky Social Care Card

A new Blue Sky Social Care Card for social care workers and unpaid carers and volunteers is now available.

Cardholders can receive national discounts and perks and the card will act as an employee or carer ID card.

All profits go towards supporting the Disability Direct charity who work with retailers to help recognise the vital role played by social care staff and unpaid carers in the community.

The card costs ￡5 per year. ILF Scotland can pay for a card for the PAs of ILF Scotland recipients.

Find out more and apply at: https://blueskycard.uk

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Fifty Years of Family Fund

Events have taken place to mark the 50th anniversary of the Family Fund.

Since it was established in 1973, the Family Fund has been providing support to families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person on a low income.

More than 1.5 million grants have been given to support families to make day-to-day life easier, or to give them the chance to make special memories through a family break.

To mark the anniversary, Northern Ireland’s Parliament Buildings were lit purple, a reception was held in the Scottish Parliament, and an event was held at the House of Commons.

At all events, representatives from the charity shared a new research project, ‘Window to our world’, which highlights personal stories from families raising disabled children. It showcases the importance of taking time to enjoy family life, and how support from the Family Fund has enabled families to do this.

Read more about the research at: https://ilf.scot/go/window-to-our-world

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Scotland

ILF is Re-Opening in Scotland!

First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP announced in his first Programme for Government in September that the Independent Living Fund will re-open in Scotland on a phased basis, with an initial ￡9 million in the financial year 2024-25.

This will enable up to 1,000 additional disabled people with the most complex needs to access the support they need and deserve to live independent lives.

Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, Chair of the Scotland Advisory Group, said: “On behalf of the ILF Scotland Advisory Group, I warmly welcome the announcement by the First Minister that the Independent Living Fund is to be re-opened in 2024. This was recommended by the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in 2020. The re-opening has also been a long-standing commitment of the Scottish Government.

“This announcement would not have been possible without the continuous campaigning, over many years, of disabled people and their directly accountable organisations.”

Peter Scott OBE, Chief Executive of ILF Scotland, said: “The reopening of the Fund will enable us to assist more of Scotland’s most disabled citizens overcome the barriers to independent living that they face on a daily basis.

“We feel privileged to have this opportunity, but do not underestimate the responsibility that accompanies it. We look forward to working with disabled people, their organisations, and other key stakeholders on the co‑production of the re-opened Fund.”

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Re-Opening Co-Production Events

To prepare for re-opening, we have established a Co-Production Working Group to make recommendations to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, on the policies for the re-opened ILF.

The Group comprises of members from a variety of organisations. You can read the minutes of the meetings on our website. The Group is keen to ensure the involvement of disabled people and other key stakeholders in the co-production process and, to that end, we are arranging a series of Co‑Production Events to gather views and help

shape the re-opened ILF.

The first co-production event took place at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Tuesday 12 December. We will publish information on our website about the event as soon as possible.

Join us at an event

To take part in a Co-Production Event, please visit our Eventbrite page at: https://ilf.scot/go/re-opening-events

You can also phone our general enquiry line to book a place by calling 0300 200 2022, or you can email Geraldine Higgins at Geraldine.Higgins@ILF.scot

For the most up-to-date information on the re-opening of ILF, and the co‑production events, please visit our website at https://ilf.scot/re-opening-ILF

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National Care Service

The Government’s vision of a National Care Service (NCS) is that everyone will have access to consistently high quality community health and social care support across Scotland, whenever they might need it.

As part of the process of co-designing the NCS, a series of regional forum events were held across Scotland and online between June and October.

Six reports from the National Care Service summer 2023 forums are now available to read at https://ilf.scot/go/ncs

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Summit to Mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The first Summit to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) took place at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 November. Disabled people from all over Scotland attended the event in the Debating Chamber in person and online.

The event focused on breaking down social barriers and the fight for equality and human rights. Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, a disabled activist and prominent campaigner who is also Chair of the ILF Scotland Advisory Group was one of the speakers at the Summit. You can watch the full Summit, including Jim’s speech, at: https://ilf.scot/go/idpwd-summit

ILF Scotland’s Senior HR Manager Heather Melville-Hume also attended the event. Read Heather’s blog about her experience at: https://ilf.scot/go/heathers-blog

The event preceded the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is on 3rd December every year. This year’s theme focuses on the UN’s commitment to the fulfilment of all human rights for persons with disabilities by 2030.

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Migration to Universal Credit (UC)

Managed migration is the process by which the DWP invites claimants to claim UC. The DWP is focusing on moving people who are only getting working tax credit and/or child tax credit over to UC in 2023/24.

If plans are progressing for a recipient to move from home to supported accommodation, we recommend that Welfare Rights support and advice is sought at an early stage in order that a recipient can benefit from some Transitional Protection with a Universal Credit claim.

We will provide further information in our next newsletter.

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Self-Directed Support

The Scottish Government has published the Self-Directed Support (SDS) Improvement Plan 2023-2027, which sets out sector-wide priorities for improvement in Self-Directed Support over the next few years.

ILF Scotland is a member of the National SDS Collaboration, which brings together partners working in SDS across Scotland.

The Collaboration supported the creation of the Improvement Plan. You can access the published plan on the Scottish Government website at: https://ilf.scot/go/sds-improvement-plan

SDS Scotland is undertaking a new piece of research to look into the quality of Independent Support in Scotland.

Independent Support is provided by organisations that help people navigate SDS. The research is interested in finding out about the experiences of people who have used, or tried to use, Independent Support to help them access SDS.

SDS Scotland aims to produce recommendations to support an increased focus on the quality, impact and the future delivery of Independent Support.

Find out more at: https://ilf.scot/go/sds-new-report

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Scotland Advisory Group

The Group is chaired by Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE and includes recipients and award managers. The purpose of the Group is to provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about members experiences of using the Fund
• input into policy developments

The Group meets on a quarterly basis and you can view the minutes of the meetings on our website at: https://ilf.scot/publications-and-documentation

The Group is always keen to attract new ILF recipients to join. If you are interested, please contact Linda Scott at Linda.Scott@ilf.scot

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Care Leaver Payment Consultation

The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation to gather views on a proposed oneoff Care Leaver Payment of ￡2,000 to young people leaving care.

Many care experienced young people do not have the same informal support network that other young people have during transition points in their lives. The intention is to help reduce some of the financial barriers faced while moving on from care into adulthood and more independent living.

The consultation will remain open for responses until 26 January 2024.

You can also take part in Engagement Sessions via Microsoft Teams, with an opportunity to ask questions of the Care Leaver Payment Team.

There are sessions on Thursday 18 January at 4pm, and Friday 19 January at 12:30pm.

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Carer Support Payment

Carers Allowance is being replaced in Scotland by the new Carer Support Payment.

The new Carer Support Payment is now being piloted in three areas of Scotland. You can apply if you live in:

• Dundee City
• Perth and Kinross
• the Western Isles

Carer Support Payment will be available in more areas from spring 2024 and across Scotland by autumn 2024. Carer Support Payment will replace Carer’s Allowance, currently administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, and will be provided by Social Security Scotland.

You can find out more information at: https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment Social Security Scotland are hosting a series of Stakeholder Events on the Carer Support Payment Case Transfer. The free events will take place in January and February 2024. They are designed to inform people who advise and support clients living in Scotland who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance about the transfer process and the end-to-end client journey.

You can register to attend an event at: https://ilf.scot/go/sss-events

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British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan 2023-2029

The Scottish Government has published its second BSL National Plan. It identifies ten priority areas to address the systemic issues that have been identified as key barriers to making Scotland the best place in the world for a BSL user to live, work, learn and visit.

You can read more about the plan at https://ilf.scot/go/bsl-plan

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imPAct Newsletter

The latest edition of imPAct, the newsletter for Personal Assistants across Scotland, is now available.

There are articles on the trial of the Blue Sky Social Care Card in Scotland, the support provided by the Personal Assistants Network Scotland, and a case study of a PA.

You can also sign up to receive the newsletter directly.

Read the newsletter at: https://ilf.scot/go/impact-newsletter

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The EVOC Red Book

The Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) has created an online directory of community and voluntary sector organisations across Edinburgh.

The EVOC Red Book includes listings of registered charities and voluntary groups, as well as a description of the services that they provide.

Categories featured include ‘community and involvement’, ‘disabilities’, ‘health and care’, ‘equalities and inclusion’, and ‘information and advice’.

Read the EVOC Red Book directory at: https://evocredbook.org.uk

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Northern Ireland

Join Use and Share Your Views

Like the Advisory Group in Scotland, Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group members provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about their experiences of using the Fund
• input into policy developments

The Stakeholder Group held its last quarterly meeting in Belfast’s Mount Conference Centre on Tuesday 5 December. Members joined in person and online via Zoom, and those present enjoyed an informal lunch at the Centre.

Chair of the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group David McDonald said: “My heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in the reopening of the Fund in Scotland. What an amazing achievement! I am looking forward to the appointment of a Minister of Health in Northern Ireland who hopefully will consider giving us the same good news here.

“In the meantime, your Stakeholder Group is keen to recruit current Recipients and Award Managers as new Members. We Influence, directly, how the Fund works, for all of us. We speak out. We are heard.

We make a profound and positive difference, in approach, in funding, in policy, in our futures and in our lives. Are you a current Recipient?

“Then, so can you! Come on along. Meet us in person or on Zoom. Hear what we have to say. Hear what we do, Join us and join in, today!”

If you are interested, please contact Linda Scott at Linda.Scott@ILF.scot

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Michaela receives her MBE

Disability rights activist Michaela Hollywood, and a member of ILF Scotland’s Stakeholder Group, received an MBE from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Michaela travelled to London with her family to accept the award, which recognises her services to disabled people.

Michaela said: “I was delighted that I received my insignia from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, who I also met right at the beginning of my activism.

“We had a lovely chat about the progress that has been made, and the work still to do for equality and inclusion of disabled people.”

You can read more about Michaela’s story at: https://ilf.scot/case-study/michaelas-story

Michaela lives with the genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy. She is Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance who are providing a series of free training sessions for Personal Assistants and Carers for people with muscle-weakening (neuromuscular) conditions, and other people with high support needs.

You can find out more, or register, at: https://ilf.scot/go/pathfinder-events

You can find out more information about Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance at: www.pathfindersalliance.org.uk

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Independent Living NI Event 2023

The Centre for Independent Living NI (CILNI) held their annual conference and exhibition at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast in November.

The conference was attended by many disabled people who use CILNI’s services, along with partners, professionals and politicians who joined a series of workshops and discussions.

ILF Scotland’s Director of Self-Directed Support, Robert White, joined one of the panel discussions and said: “The CILNI conference was a first-class networking event. I was delighted to speak and give a view as a social work manager from a public body who offered a different viewpoint on key SDS issues. This type of discussion can only help better decision making all round.”

CILNI supports the right of disabled people to have choice and control in their lives, and to take an active part in the community in which they live. It provides a range of services for disabled people. Visit the CILNI website at: https://cilni.org

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Charity Spotlight: Spinal Injury Northern Ireland (Sp.I.N.I.)

Peter Steele, an ILF recipient, tells us that “The Independent Living Fund has helped support me since my accident in 2009. The funding I receive from ILF enables me to attend functions and other social events.”

Peter is the founder of the charity Spinal Injury NI (Sp.I.N.I.). He tells us why he set this up and how he raised ￡70,000 to help make life easier for disabled people.

Peter said: “Following an accident I had in 2009, I had the use of a machine called a ‘MOTOmed’ as part of my rehabilitation in the physiotherapy department of Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast.

“A MOTOmed is a powered exercise bike designed for people with restricted mobility. Once back in the community, I discovered an extreme shortage of MOTOmeds. This piece of equipment is very expensive.

“Spinal Injury Northern Ireland was created to supply MOTOmeds on a loan basis to those unable to purchase them.

“Another item supplied by the charity is called ‘Active Hands’. Active Hands make gripping aids that gently, yet firmly, hold your hand into a gripping shape enabling you to hold everyday items.

“At present there are more than 40 people using equipment supplied by the charity. We supply provincewide for a small delivery fee.

“Our greatest satisfaction comes from helping people and making life a little easier for the disabled.

“The Charity relies solely on donations from the community, who have graciously raised approximately ￡70,000 through doing things like sponsored walks of Kilimanjaro, skydives, and cycles, to having a simple ‘charity change jar’ at a shop in town.

“We at Sp.I.N.I. are overwhelmed with the help and support we have received not just from the Spinal Injury family, but also from the general public, too.”

You can find out more about Sp.I.N.I. at: https://spini.online

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NIE Networks and NI Water Care Registers

NIE Networks offers a medical customer care information service to people who are dependent on life-supporting electrical equipment. You can register at: https://ilf.scot/go/nie-networks

Older people, disabled people and those with a medical condition should consider joining the NI Water and Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks care registers. The registers help to identify people who need extra help or support if there is an interruption to supply and you can access a range of free additional services.

You can register at: https://www.niwater.com/customer-care-register or call Waterline on 03457 440 088.

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The Move to Universal Credit: Get Ready

Independent advice network Advice NI has published a report highlighting views, concerns and ideas relating to the ‘Move to Universal Credit’.

You can read the report in full at: https://ilf.scot/go/move-to-uc

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Transition Fund

ILF Scotland’s Transition Fund aims to help young disabled people in Scotland, aged 16 to 25, with the transition after leaving school or children’s services. It helps young disabled people to:

• become more independent
• be more active and engaged in their community
• to build and maintain relationships with other people

It provides money for up to one year to support young people with a disability or impairment as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

The Transition Fund is more popular than ever

Demand for the Transition Fund continues to grow. We have received a record number of applications so far this year – a 60% increase compared to last year.

Due to the pressure of this demand on the Fund, we have had to make the difficult decision to restrict all new grants to first time applicants for the foreseeable future. This is to ensure that limited financial resources are made available to as many young people as possible. This means that if you have already received a Transition Fund grant from us, we will not be able to consider a further application at this time.

Peter Scott, ILF Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “We understand that many young people across Scotland will be disappointed to hear this news. Please be reassured that this is not a decision that we have taken lightly and this is the fairest and best way to ensure that the Transition Fund continues to benefit young disabled people so that they can be active citizens and participate in their communities.”

We will keep this situation under review and will post any updates on our website.

We will introduce this change from 1 January 2024.

If you have already submitted an application, we will evaluate and process this in the normal way. However, we will give priority to first time applicants, which may result in waiting for longer than normal to hear from us.

For all applications, the unprecedented increase in demand means that currently we are taking around 16 weeks to process the majority of grants. Please be patient with us and try not to call us for updates as we are unable to predict how long individual applications will take. We will get to your application as soon as we can.

If you are about to make an application, please bear these timescales in mind and apply well in advance if you need the funding for a specific time.

If you are looking for a basic piece of IT equipmment, you can still apply for a Technology Grant even if you have received Transition

Funding before. For more details, visit: https://ilf.scot/transitionfund/technology-grant

You can also apply for a Person Centred Planning Grant.

Not sure what to apply for?

If you would like some help to decide how the Transition Fund might

assist you to achieve your goals, you can access support for this.

You can apply for our Young Person Centred Planning Grant (https://ilf.scot/go/pcp) before applying for the full Transition Fund grant.

We will direct you to a professional planner to help you to plan for your future, work out what will help you most in your transition, and how the Transition Fund might play a part in helping you to achieve this.

You can also consider using ARC Scotland’s Compass app (https://ilf.scot/go/compass), designed to assist young people in identifying how to get the most out of their transition and to help them move on in the right direction. Using the Compass tool can also help you plan and identify how an application to the Transition Fund could help you.

For further information on the Transition Fund visit our website at: www.ILF.scot/Transition-Fund

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Transition Fund recipient Eireann on Care Experienced Week

One of our Transition Fund recipients Eireann recently shared her reflections on Care Experienced Week 2023 and the difference that the Transition Fund has made to her life.

As the youngest trustee of Who Cares? Scotland, Eireann is a passionate advocate for care experienced people, disabled people, and young people’s rights, as well as working full-time for a trade union in Glasgow. Who Cares? Scotland is a national membership organisation for care experienced people.

Eireann said: “I think the Transition Fund in Scotland is amazing, and I am grateful that I was able to apply and benefit from the fund. I felt that the process and fund was so accessible and that the whole process was dignifying and that I was well supported.”

Read Eireann’s blog in full at: https://ilf.scot/go/care-week

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Transition Fund Recipient Andrew's Dundee Culture Recognised in Parliament

Congratulations to Transition Fund recipient Andrew Batchelor, who is also a member of our Transition Fund Young Ambassadors’ Group. Andrew’s social media brand Dundee Culture has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament.

Andrew successfully used a Transition Fund grant to expand his business, Dundee Culture. You can find out more about the work Andrew does at: https://www.dundeeculture.com

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Transition Fund Young Ambassador's Group

If you have received a Transition Fund grant, you can join our Young Ambassadors’ Group.

As a member, you would:

• be invited to quarterly meetings with other Young Ambassadors
• attend events in person and online to raise awareness of the Fund
• be involved in discussions about changes or development of the Fund
• work with ILF Scotland on podcasts, vlogs and blogs sharing your experiences of the Fund

If you would like to join the Young Ambassadors, please get in touch with Lee House, our Engagement Officer, by emailing Lee.House@ilf.scot

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Tell us your story

We think the best way to tell other disabled people about the positive difference our funding makes to you is through telling your stories.'

We would love to hear from our 2015 Fund and Transition Fund recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you achieve your independent living outcomes.

Email communications@ilf.scot or call our main number on 0300 200 2022.

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Have Your Say

If you have any ideas or would like to make any suggestions about what you would like to read in the next newsletter in June 2024, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are keen to ensure that all recipients and award managers receive communication in a way that suits their needs. If you want to receive updates in a different way, please let us know.

Thanks for reading this newsletter. We hope you found it interesting.

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Contents

ILF Scotland wins Best Small Employer award!

ILF Scotland Recipient Contribution

Review Visits

COVID Update

Facemasks

Let's Be Heard Project

Personal Assistant Holiday Pay

Employers Liability Insurance aka Home Employment Insurance

Unspent Monies

Hospital Admissions

The Role of Personal Assistants in Disability Support

Welfare Rights Update

New Regional Voices for Communication Aids

The Telephone Landline Switch-Off

Scotland

Scottish Social Care Wage Update 2023

Child and Adult Disability Payments Increase

The New National Self Direction Support (SDS) Guide

Scottish National Care Service Summer Forums

Self-Directed Support and Personal Outcomes

Contribution of Personal Assistant to Improved Outcomes for People

National Involvement Network (NIN) Meetings

Northern Ireland

Increase to ILF awards for Personal Assistants

Cost of Living Payments 2023/2024

Care to Chat? A New Podcast

ILF Recipient Awarded MBE For Services To Disabled People!

Join Us and Share Your Views

Transition Fund

Transition Fund Young Ambassador's Group

Transition Fund Hits 10,000!

Disabled Youth Research Opportunity - Glasgow

Launch of Principles into Practice and Compass

Have Your Say

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ILF Scotland wins Best Small Employer award!

We are delighted to have won the Best Small Employer award at the Working Families Best Practice Awards 2023 in Vinters Hall, London.

The awards celebrate employers whose stand out cultures and working practices are leading the way in flexible and employee‑friendly workplaces.

ILF Scotland's Head of Business Services, Aileen McNiven, commented:

"We're thrilled to win such a prestigious award. We've always strived towards being a truly flexible and life-friendly employer and Working Families has supported us throughout our journey.

"To win the Best Small Employer award shows that ILF Scotland is a fantastic place to work where staff satisfaction means we are better able to support the disabled people we work with in Scotland and Northern Ireland."

"Our remarkable finalists are helping to highlight the benefits of family-friendly policies and cultures for everyone.

"They have found solutions that work both for the employees and the business and are reaping the rewards of a more productive and engaged workforce."

You can read more about the Working Families Best Practice Awards 2023 here: https://workingfamilies.org.uk/employers/bestpracticeawards/

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ILF Scotland Recipient Contribution

The maximum amount of personal contribution any recipient pays towards the cost of their ILF Scotland funded support should be £43 per week. We do have the discretion to waive, in part or in full, this contribution in circumstances of hardship, which might include:

• terminal illness (full waiver will apply)
• disability related costs
• costs related to the care of children
• any overlap with Health and Social Care Partnership charging to the recipient’s detriment

If you are unfortunately diagnosed with a terminal illness, please forward confirmation from a suitable medical professional e.g. letter from your consultant confirming the diagnosis, and we will waive any contribution in full.

The current cost of living crisis is making life difficult, and disproportionately so for disabled people. You may be struggling to pay your contribution due to financial hardship arising from the increased costs related specifically to your disability.  Please write or email us to explain this and we will consider waiving part or all of your contribution.

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Review Visits

A reminder that ILF Scotland has resumed in-person review visits. When it’s your turn for your ILF review, we will write to you and one of our assessors will then be in touch to arrange a suitable time and date for a visit. They will also contact your Health and Social Care Partnership or Trust and invite them to the meeting to talk about any changes to your support arrangements. If someone manages the money we pay you (an Award Manager), they should attend the visit, too.

Remember that it’s important to keep your records up to date as our assessors will ask for these as part of your review. Refer to Your Responsibilities Guide for more detail.

Please get in touch with us if you need any assistance prior to your review or if you would prefer to complete the review using a video call. You can call us on 0300 200 2022 or email us at enquiries@ilf.scot.

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COVID Update

Whilst wider social care support services are still returning to pre-pandemic levels, we are aware that COVID-19 still exists.  ILF can therefore continue to show some flexibility in the way in which we operate our policies. For example, you may need to arrange for additional PA or provider support if your existing PA cannot support you because of a new outbreak of COVID-19.  So that your PA is not financially disadvantaged, you are likely to want to pay them their full wage while they are off sick or top up what they get through Statutory Sick Pay. If you do not have enough funding in your ILF account to cover this, we can help. Get in touch with us on 0300 200 2022 or email us at enquiries@ilf.scot.

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Facemasks

The Scottish Government has recently issued updated COVID-19 guidance regarding the use of facemasks in Scotland. From 16 May 2023, people in health and social care settings are no longer advised to wear facemasks as a matter of course. Instead, mask use will be based on clinical need based on infection prevention and control advice.

The use of face coverings is still strongly recommended in all indoor settings accessible to the public across Northern Ireland.

Read more on our website at https://ilf.scot/news-post/updated-covid-guidance-facemasks/

Our staff will remain vigilant and continue to ask recipients and Award Managers their preference for wearing masks before meeting with them.

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Let's Be Heard Project

A Let’s Be Heard project has recently been launched asking for people to share their experiences of the pandemic, what worked well, what didn’t and what lessons can be learned. Read more and submit your response at https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/

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Personal Assistant Holiday Pay

By Andy Higgins (andyhiggins@indsol.org)

In a Personal Assistant’s (PA’s) contract of employment, holiday entitlement is generally expressed as the number of days a PA works in a week multiplied by 5.6. However, payroll agencies would normally calculate holiday entitlement based on every hour that a PA works in a week multiplied by 12.07%. This can sometimes cause confusion.

Commonly, where there’s a smaller care package of only one PA, when a recipient goes to respite or on family holidays the PA will go on their separate holiday too. In many cases the PA won’t claim for holiday pay but instead they will be paid their wages as normal while on holiday. With larger care packages, where there’s more than one PA, when one PA takes their holidays, one of the other PAs normally provides cover.

Whatever the arrangements, please be aware that if your PAs work additional hours, they may be entitled to additional holidays for working these hours. Also be aware that as a PA employer, holiday credits can accumulate if unspent so you should make sure that you keep enough funds to cover any potential additional holiday pay before returning any unspent money to ILF Scotland.  

Your payroll agency will be able to advise you on this and how many hours or holiday credits your PA(s) have accrued.  Try to get familiar with how to calculate holiday entitlement and to check with your payroll agency, every quarter, on how many hours or holiday credits each PA has accrued. It might be a good idea to introduce a simple sheet for recording holiday entitlement and holidays used.

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Employers Liability Insurance aka Home Employment Insurance

By Andy Higgins (andyhiggins@indsol.org)

Every employer in Scotland is required by law to hold Employers Liability Insurance, also known as Home Employment Insurance. ILF Scotland will provide the funding that is required to purchase a Home Employment Insurance policy that will cover:

• Employers Liability
• Public Liability
• Personal Accident
• Redundancy
• Identity Theft
• Emergency Recruitment Costs
• Credit Card Fraud
• Replacement Key Cover
• Theft by an Employee
• Damage to an Employees Possessions
• Legal Expenses

A Home Employment Insurance policy usually costs no more than £140 and covers the PA employer and their staff for so much.

Get in touch with us at 0300 200 2022 or email enquiries@ilf.scot to find out more.

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Unspent Monies

Recipients can keep up to one week of their normal ILF Scotland award as a contingency fund but must return any excess funding ‘unspent monies’ to us. However, a recipient, may, on an exceptional basis, ask us if they can use some of their unspent monies in a different way to achieve their independent living outcomes. We call this a “Flexible Funding” request. You can find out more about this here Policy 41 Use of ILF Scotland Funding

One of our recipients, Barry, submitted a formal request to ask us if he could use a small proportion of the unspent monies he returned to us to pay for support to allow him to attend Calvert Trust Keilder Activities and we approved this. We consider all applications based on the individual’s circumstances and the independent living outcomes agreed with us at the last review. Barry had a fantastic time and he has kindly written about his adventures to share with others. You can read this on our website at www.ilf.scot  

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Hospital Admissions

When a recipient goes into hospital and their stay extends beyond 28 days, they lose entitlement to qualifying benefits and because of this, ILF Scotland should suspend the award. If a recipient continues to receive support from their Personal Assistant while in hospital, please let us know and we may be able to sustain the award for a temporary period of time instead of suspending it.  We know how valuable it can be to have the support of your PA when in hospital, and want to help with this.

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The Role of Personal Assistants in Disability Support

The University of East Anglia has developed a new course for disabled people, current or prospective Personal Assistants (PAs), and anyone else who’s interested in disability support. The training is based on the lived experience of PAs, PA employers and their peer support organisations, including Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL).

The online course explores the role of personal assistance, and the risks and opportunities associated with it. It will encourage you to discuss ways to avoid and / or manage personal conflicts, whether you’re a disabled person or a personal assistant. It’s based on new evidence about the close working relationship between disabled people and their support workers – and how to improve it.

To find out more and sign up visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/personal-assistants-disability-support

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Welfare Rights Update

A recent report by Age Concern indicated that there is currently £2.4 billion pounds in unclaimed Pension Credit and Housing Credit.

So how do you check that you’re getting all the benefits that you’re entitled to?

Our recent blog post gives you information and advice on the most common benefits that people forget that they’re entitled to, including cost of living support.

It also gives you the best support agencies to get in touch with to check your eligibility and get more information and advice. Visit https://ilf.scot/blog-post/welfare-rights-update/

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New Regional Voices for Communication Aids

Disabled people across the UK and Ireland who use a computer (Grid software on a dedicated AAC  device or an iPad) to speak now have more choice to use a voice that matches their preferred accent, thanks to voice banking technology from Edinburgh based company SpeakUnique, and Smartbox Assistive Technology. You can find out more at https://thinksmartbox.com/.

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The Telephone Landline Switch-Off

From 2025, the UK's telephone network is going digital – much like televisions did in 2012. This means that after 2025, a traditional landline phone will need to be connected to a broadband connection in order to work. Your landline provider will get in touch with you when it's time for you to switch your phone. This might be ahead of 2025 as every area will be switched over at different times.

As the switchover is affecting everyone, this creates opportunities for criminals to develop new scams. These scam attempts could happen over the phone, via email, or in person on your doorstep. You do not need to pay anyone to switch over your landline phone so be aware and contact Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/) if you’re worried. For more information about the Landline Switch-off visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/consumer-issues/changes-to-landline-telephones/

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Scotland

Scottish Social Care Wage Update 2023

The Scottish Government has announced an increase to the minimum rate of pay for Adult Social Care workers from £10.50 to £10.90 per hour from 1 April 2023. This is an increase of 3.8%. ILF Scotland has therefore increased the hourly rate we pay to our recipients who employ Personal Assistants.  This will allow you to increase your Personal Assistant’s hourly rate of pay to a minimum of £10.90 per hour from 1 April 2023 (including overnight hours of support).

If you use a Payroll Agency, you should get in touch with them if you haven’t done so already to tell them to pay your PAs this increased rate of pay.

For recipients who receive support from a care provider, they may advise you of an increase to the hourly rate they charge to enable them to pay their staff the new living wage.  Please send this letter to ILF Scotland if you want us to increase your award to allow you to meet any such increases, otherwise we will pick this up at your next review.

Find out more on our website: https://ilf.scot/news-post/social-care-wage-update-2023/ If you have any questions regarding this, or if any circumstances have changed, please contact our operations team on 0300 200 2022 or by emailing enquiries@ilf.scot.

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Child and Adult Disability Payments Increase

The Scottish Government has increased twelve benefits including Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Adults and Child Disability Payments by 10.1%.

Payment values for 2023-2024, which come into effect from 1 April 2023 are:

Child Disability Payment
Care lower: up from £24.45 in 2022-23 to £26.60 in 2023-24
Care middle: up from £61.85 in 2022-23 to £68.10 in 2023-24
Care higher: up from £92.40 in 2022-23 to £101.45 in 2023-24
Mobility lower: up from £24.45 in 2022-23 to £26.90 in 2023-24
Mobility higher: up from £64.50 in 2022-23 to £71.00 in 2023-24

Adult Disability Payment
Daily living standard: up from £61.85 to £68.10 in 2023-24
Daily living enhanced: up from £92.40 to £101.75 in 2023-24
Transitional rate: up from £24.45 to £26.90 in 2023-24
Mobility standard: up from £24.45 to £26.90 in 2023-24
Mobility enhanced: up from £64.50 to £71.00 in 2023-24

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The New National Self Direction Support (SDS) Guide

The Scottish Government published new guidance in November 2022 that describes how Local Authorities should implement social care support. The guidance is designed to help Local Authorities implement Self-directed Support, and explains what they should do to make sure that people are able to get the support that is right for them. You can read more about it at www.sdsscotland.org.uk/new-sds-statutory-guidance-published.

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Scottish National Care Service Summer Forums

The Scottish Government is hosting a series of regional forums this summer, across Scotland, as part of the development of the National Care Service. They would like to speak to as many people as possible about their experiences of community health and social care support. They want to find out more about the unique nature of social care support in local areas across Scotland - and discuss what everyone would like to see in the future National Care Service. In person events are as follows:

14 July - Hilltown Community Centre, Dundee

18 July - Stranraer Millennium Centre, Dumfries and Galloway

26 July - The Corran Hall, Oban

1 August - An Crùbh Community Centre, Skye

8 August - Strathpeffer Community Centre, Highland

17 August - Isleburgh Community Centre, Shetland

22 August - The Inkwell, Elgin

Online events on 24 and 29 August for those who cannot make it along in person.

This is your opportunity to use your experience to shape the future of community health and social care in Scotland. For more information about the events and how to sign up, please visit https://ilf.scot/blog-post/national-care-service-summer-forums/

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Self-Directed Support and Personal Outcomes

Self-directed Support was introduced in Scotland to allow greater choice and control for people using social care and support. The system aims to ensure a more personalised approach to social care, where users are equal partners in decisions about their care.

A new research report presents evidence about different experiences of Self-directed Support. It draws together lessons learned about how these experiences interact with people’s protected characteristics. The findings increase our understanding and awareness of how the current system helps or prevents people from achieving their personal outcomes, and the impact this has on equality.

This report supports work in Scotland to ensure that equality is embedded into social care reform and the creation of a National Care Service. View the full report at https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/our-work/our-research/self-directed-support-and-personal-outcomes

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Contribution of Personal Assistant to Improved Outcomes for People

In 2021, a group of Personal Assistants (PAs), PA employers and other stakeholders worked together develop a shared understanding of how PAs can be better valued as part of the social care workforce.

The Personal Assistant’s Outcome Map is a product of this work and has a broad application including anyone who would like to know more about personal assistants (PAs), their work, who they work for, how their support impacts on those they work for when this model works at its best, and the difference it makes to people.

The mapping resource has three broad aims which are:

• to promote awareness of the role, value and positive outcomes of the PA model of support with other stakeholders
• as a discussion aid for PAs, PA employers and other stakeholders to facilitate open supportive conversations
• to help PAs recognise their value and professional identity

You can view the resource at https://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/4979/personal-assistant-outcomes-map.pdf

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National Involvement Network (NIN) Meetings

The National Involvement Network (NIN), a network of people with disabilities or additional support needs in Scotland, have announced their upcoming meetings for the year. The meetings will take place as follows:

Thursday 29th June at the Pearce Institute in Glasgow 

Wednesday 27th September in Edinburgh

Friday 8th December on Zoom

For more details visit https://arcscotland.org.uk/involvement/national-involvement-network/

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Northern Ireland

Increase to ILF awards for Personal Assistants

At the request of the Northern Ireland Department of Health, we increased the ILF hourly wage rates of Personal Assistants, who were directly employed by our recipients, by 12 percent and in addition, increased all hourly rates to a minimum of £9.50 and backdated this to 1 April 2022. Read more at https://ilf.scot/news-post/northern-ireland-increase-to-ilf-awards-for-personal-assistants/

We are currently discussing the new National Minimum Wage of £10.42 from April 2023 with the Department of Health and we will communicate further with anyone affected about this in due course.

If you have any questions regarding this, or if your circumstances have changed, please contact an ILF Scotland Specialist Caseworker on 0300 200 2022 or email enquiries@ilf.scot.

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Cost of Living Payments 2023/2024

The payment schedule for further Cost of Living Support has been announced for Northern Ireland. Payments will be made to those who get eligible low income (means tested) and disability benefits. An additional Winter Fuel Payment will also be made.

• The first £301 low income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment was paid between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023 for most people on Department for Communities / Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits - the £301 payment for people on tax credits and no other low-income benefits was paid between 2 and 9 May 2023 for most people
• A £150 Disability Payment is due between 20 June 2023 and 4 July 2023
• The second £300 low income means-tested) Cost of Living Payment is due during Autumn 2023
• A £300 additional Winter Fuel Payment is due during Winter 2023/24
• The third £299 low income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment is due during Spring 2024

You do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible (or if you are found to be eligible at a later date) you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments.

For more information and to check you’re eligible, visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cost-living-payments

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Care to Chat? A New Podcast

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) has launched a new podcast called ‘Care to chat?’.

‘Care to chat’ is a podcast hosted by Dr Wendy Austin highlighting the Social Care Council’s commitment to supporting the social care and social work workforce in Northern Ireland. It features a broad range of conversations and interviews with people in the social work and social care community, as well as from across the health and social care system.

The 14-episode series will release a new episode every fortnight. Follow on your favourite podcast platform or listen to episodes on the NISCC website at https://niscc.info/care-to-chat-a-podcast-of-conversations-about-social-care-and-social-work-regulation/

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ILF Recipient Awarded MBE For Services To Disabled People!

Michaela Hollywood, ILF recipient and Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group member, has been awarded an MBE and recognised in the first Kings Birthday Honours list for her services to disabled people.

On sharing the news Michaela said, “I honestly don’t think I have the words to describe the feeling of getting the letter to say you’re worthy of this kind of recognition.

“I am only one part of the disability rights movement. I am only one person. I’m a girl from County Down, with Belfast roots. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to people like me.

“An MBE is a huge day for me and my family. To the people behind my selection – thank you.  And thank you to all those I work with.” Huge congratulations to Michaela on such an incredible achievement. Read more about this in the news section of our website at www.ilf.scot.

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Join Us and Share Your Views

We have two groups consisting of ILF Scotland 2015 Fund recipients and their representatives. One in Northern Ireland called the Stakeholder Group and one in Scotland called the Advisory Group.

Group members provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about their experiences of using the Fund
• input into policy developments

If you receive funding from ILF Scotland, we are keen to hear from you if you think you might want to join one of these groups and help shape our future work. Please contact Linda Scott (ILF Scotland’s Director for Policy, Improvement and Engagement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot and she will arrange to get in touch and discuss further with you.

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Transition Fund

Transition Fund Young Ambassador's Group

If you receive funding from our Transition Fund, you can join our Young Ambassadors’ Group.

As a member, you would:

• be invited to quarterly meetings with other Young Ambassadors
• attend events in person and online to raise awareness of the Fund
• be integral to any changes or development of the Fund
• work with ILF Scotland on podcasts, vlogs and blogs sharing your experiences of the Fund

If you would like to join the Young Ambassadors, please get in touch with Lee House, our Engagement Officer by emailing Lee.House@ilf.scot.

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Transition Fund Hits 10,000!

ILF Scotland’s Transition Fund has hit a momentous milestone by receiving its 10,000th application.

Opened in December 2017, the Transition Fund aim to help promote independence, community participation and social inclusion for young disabled people aged between 16 and 25 by providing grants they can use to try something new.

The Transition Fund recently celebrated its 5th birthday and has had a positive impact on many young, disabled people with over £11.5 million in grants awarded across Scotland for things like horsemanship lessons, start-up money for a bakery business, DJ equipment, vocal coaching and driving lessons.

A parent of a Transition Fund recipient said “Well done to you and the team on all your hard work, you really are helping change the experiences and lives of young people. We really can't thank you all enough.”

A huge congratulations to the team and to all the young people that have received a Transition Fund grant. Here’s to the next 10,000!

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Disabled Youth Research Opportunity - Glasgow

Disability and Youth Transitions is a research project exploring the experiences of disabled young people as they grow up. The research team is looking for participants to help share personal experiences with them and want to hear from young people with different kinds of disabilities, including learning and physical disabilities, long-term illnesses or health conditions (mental or physical) and autistic or neurodiverse young people. They want to talk to people from different backgrounds, including race and ethnicity, sexuality and gender, class and living situation. Participants should live in or around Glasgow including Inverclyde, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire. Find out more and sign up at: https://disabilityandyouthtransitions.co.uk/

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Launch of Principles into Practice and Compass

On June 16^th 2023, the Scottish Transitions Forum (Scottish Transitions Forum - Scottish Transitions Forum) and ARC Scotland (ARC Scotland – The specialists in health and social care) launched Principles into Practice and Compass.

Principles into Practice is a new national framework that offers practical guidance to improve the planning and delivery of support for young people aged 14-26 who need additional support as they make the transition to young adult life.

Alongside this new framework, a new digital tool called Compass has been launched. There are three versions, one for young people, one for parents and carers and one for professionals. They are all designed to provide tailored information and support at the right time and gathers feedback to help shape transitions services and policy in their local authority areas. 

You can find more information on the new Principles into Practice framework here (Principles into Practice - Scottish Transitions Forum) and about Compass here (PN2P and Compass – Information site)

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Have Your Say

During a recent audit of our communications and engagement activity we received a ‘good’ rating, however we are always striving to improve and would love to hear from you to know what we can do better.

If you have any ideas or would like to make any suggestions for what you want to see in the next newsletter in December please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are also keen to ensure that all recipients and award managers receive communication in a way that suits their needs. If you want to receive updates in a different way please let us know.

Thanks for reading this newsletter. We hope you found it interesting. If you have feedback or ideas for future issues, please get in touch. We would love to hear from our 2015 and Transition Fund recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you. Email: communications@ilf.scot or call our main number 0300 200 2022.

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• Award success for ILF Scotland
• Scottish Women's Awards 2022
• New-look website
• Review visits re-start
• Managing an ILF Scotland award
• Employers' National Insurance Contributions
• Cost of living support
• ILF Scotland Recipient Contribution
• Hospital admission
• Helping Fraser live independently

Northern Ireland

• Direct Payment increase
• Recipient Contribution Reduction
• Plan for the future
• Carers NI report

Scotland

• Help shape the new National Care Service
• Changes to Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant
• Adult Disability Payment
• Help for people employing Personal Assistants
• Play your part and save a life
• Join us and share your views
• Transition Fund Young Ambassadors' Group

Transition Fund

• Creating opportunities for young disabled people
• Top tips for success
• More than just cakes from Cait
• Transition Fund celebrates five years of success!
• Minister launches new Technology Grant

• Get in touch

• Follow us

Award success for ILF Scotland

The national charity for working parents and carers, Working Families, has named ILF Scotland as one of the top 10 family-friendly employers in the UK for the fourth time, highlighting our organisation’s flexible and family-friendly approach to work.

ILF Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer, Harvey Tilley, said: “ILF Scotland’s overall aspiration is to make independent living a reality for all disabled people. By giving our staff choice and control, we enable
them to give their best, and in turn, deliver even better outcomes for disabled people.”

Read more about this in the News section of our website www.ilf.scot/news

Scottish Women's Awards 2022

Susan Douglas-Scott CBE, the Chair of ILF Scotland’s Board, won the Inspirational Leader category at the fourth Scottish Women’s Awards. Congratulations to Susan and all the other winners.

New-look website

We have revamped our website at www.ilf.scot. We have worked hard to make the website more modern and as accessible as possible, but would welcome your feedback on how we might improve further so please contact us with any comments.

If you need help to access any content, if you can’t find a document you are looking for, or if you need
a document in a different format, please let us know and we will help.

Review visits re-start

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, health and social care services are slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. At ILF Scotland, we are carrying out our in-person review visits again. Some recipient reviews may be a little later than normal, so please bear with us. Please get in touch with us if you need any assistance prior to your review.

When it’s time for your ILF review, we will contact you by letter and one of our Assessors will then be in touch to arrange a suitable time and date for a visit. They will also contact your Health and Social Care Partnership or Trust and invite them to the meeting to talk about any changes to your support arrangements.

If someone else manages the money we pay you (the Award Manager), it is important they attend the visit too. ILF Scotland’s Your Responsibilities booklet explains the information that will be discussed at the meeting. You can find this booklet on our website, and we will send you a copy when
we write to you.

Our Assessor will wear a mask and will wash their hands before entering your home. They will not ask to use your toilet during the visit and will not accept hospitality, such as drinks or food.

If you would prefer, we can complete reviews using video calls. Please discuss this with your assessor when they contact you. If you have any questions, please get in touch by calling 0300 200 2022 or
emailing enquiries@ilf.scot

Managing an ILF Scotland award

An Award Manager is someone who manages an ILF Scotland award. This can be the fund recipient, or someone appointed to manage the award on the recipient’s behalf. For example, someone with Power of Attorney / Financial Guardianship / Controllership / Benefits Appointee / Third Party (a family member or management organisation) / Social Work.

Award Managers are responsible for:

• making sure that ILF Scotland funding is used only in the way agreed with us to achieve identified independent living outcomes
• informing ILF Scotland of significant changes in the recipient’s life that might affect ILF Scotland funding
• ensuring safe and effective recruitment processes when appointing Personal Assistants
• being present at any ILF Scotland arranged review
• keeping records that confirm that ILF Scotland funding has been spent on the independent living outcomes agreed with us.

If you directly employ your Personal Assistants, you will need to keep records for the last six years. If you use a payroll or financial management agency to manage ILF Scotland funding, we need to see a statement of the account from the agency that shows at least the last six months of activity.

Our Assessors will expect to see these records when they carry out your review visit.

Employers' National Insurance Contributions

The amount of National Insurance contributions an employer must make depends on how much their employee(s) earn. You can find further information here: https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-rates-letters.

Employers can claim up to a maximum £5,000 of National Insurance Contributions through an ‘Employment Allowance’ if:

• they employ several PAs
• their total maximum amount of National Insurance Contributions exceeds £5,000 per tax year (this amount may change in future years)
• they have an Employer National Insurance Contribution bill of less than £100,000 in the previous tax year, and
• they are claiming against Class 1 National Insurance.

Employers should contact HMRC or their Payroll Company for more information.

For ILF Scotland recipients who use a payroll company, the company will apply Employer's National Insurance Allowance on an employer’s behalf and will automatically use the £5,000 allowance up first before the employer has anything to pay.

If an employer’s National Insurance contribution exceeds £5000 in a full tax year, ILF Scotland can contribute to the amount above £5000, on a discretionary basis. To consider this, we need to see the annual statement from HMRC. Please see our Employer Support Information Note for more information. https://ilf.scot/publication/employer-support-information-note/

Cost of living support

Rising costs can have a significant and disproportionate impact on disabled people and those who care for them. You may be eligible for benefits or schemes to help with rising bills.

If you live in Northern Ireland, check out advice and information on NI Direct: www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/cost-living

The Scottish Government has launched a website, providing useful links. Visit www.gov.scot/costoflivingsupport

Citizens’ Advice Scotland has a Money Map tool to help you. See https://moneymap.scot

You can also look out for advice and assistance on your local Council’s website. Some public bodies are introducing initiatives such as setting up “warm spaces” for people facing problems heating their homes.

ILF Scotland Recipient Contribution

The maximum amount of personal contribution any recipient pays towards the cost of their ILF Scotland funded support should be £43 per week. We do have the discretion to waive, in part or in full, this contribution in circumstances of hardship, which might include:

• terminal illness (full waiver will apply)
• disability related costs
• costs related to the care of children
• any overlap with Health and Social Care Partnership charging to the recipient’s detriment

If you are unfortunately diagnosed with a terminal illness, please forward confirmation from a suitable medical professional e.g. letter from your consultant confirming the diagnosis, and we will waive any contribution in full.

The current cost of living crisis is making life difficult and disproportionately so for disabled people. You may be struggling to pay your contribution due to financial hardship because of increased costs related specifically to your disability. Please write or email us to explain this and we will consider waiving part or all of your contribution.

Hospital Admission

When a recipient goes into hospital and their stay extends beyond 28 days, they lose entitlement to qualifying benefits and because of this, ILF Scotland should suspend the award. If a recipient continues to receive support from their Personal Assistant while in hospital, please let us know and we may be able to sustain the award for a temporary period of time instead of suspending it.

Helping Fraser live independently

Football fan Fraser receives funding from ILF Scotland’s 2015 Fund.

Fraser, now aged 31, received a diagnosis of encephalitis, a rare condition where the brain becomes inflamed, when he was aged 16. Fraser requires 24-hour care. ILF funding allows Fraser to receive support from five Personal Assistants. His family says the support is a lifeline – allowing Fraser to receive the assistance he needs to live at home and to enjoy his passions in life.

Fraser’s mum, Alison, said: “Were it not for the funding, Fraser would need to be placed in a care home, where he wouldn’t receive the same level of individualised support.

“The funding has allowed Fraser to have a say over his life… Fraser has always been an avid football fan and goes to watch matches with his personal assistants.

“Fraser also likes to go swimming, and listen to live music, which helps to stimulate his brain.”

Read more about Fraser and other case studies on our website https://ilf.scot/all-case-studies/

Northern Ireland

Direct Payment increase

In October 2022, the then Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, Robin Swann MLA, announced an additional £7.1m for Social Care Direct Payments.

Direct Payments are one option available under Self-Directed Support (SDS), allowing people to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from their local Trust.

This additional funding will allow disabled people who directly employ Personal Assistants using their Direct Payment to increase their hourly rates.

At ILF Scotland, to ensure parity, we are actively discussing options with our Sponsor Team at the Department of Health to increase the hourly rate of ILF funded Personal Assistants. We will of course write to those recipients affected as soon as we are able.

Recipient Contribution Reduction

With the agreement of the former Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, we are pleased to implement a change to ILF Scotland Policy 4, Recipient Contribution. This policy sets the amount of money you contribute towards your ILF funded support.

From 1 October 2022, the most anyone will have to contribute is £43 per week. For some of our recipients in Northern Ireland, the reduction will be significant, up to £60 per week but we recognise that for others the reduction will be quite modest.

You can read the revised policy here https://ilf.scot/publication/policy-4-recipient-contribution

Plan for the future

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland recently published a new policy document ‘For Now and For the Future, An Advance Care Planning Policy for Adults in Northern Ireland’.

Former Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Advance Care Planning is about people having the opportunity to have conversations with those important to them, and those who provide care, support or treatment.

“Clarifying your wishes, feelings, beliefs and values, can inform future care, providing peace of mind and reducing the potential for confusion or conflict.”

Members of the public, the voluntary and community sector, and health and social care staff can find out more information from a specially created e-learning platform. You can find out more on our website https://bit.ly/ni-care

Carers NI report

Carers NI carried out our State of Caring survey in 2021 as part of an annual spotlight on the circumstances of carers across the UK. The report is based on the responses from 776 people in Northern Ireland currently providing care.

(Update - January 2023: The 2021 report is no longer online. However a 2022 report is now available.)

Scotland

Help shape the new National Care Service

The Scottish Government wants to have a National Care Service that best fits the needs of everyone in Scotland and is looking for people to help with the process.

If you are living in Scotland and have views on how you think the future National Care Service should look, you can apply to take part in a Lived Experience Experts' Panel. If you represent an organisation in Scotland with an interest in health and social care, you can apply to take part in a Stakeholder Register.

The Scottish Government website https://bit.ly/scotgov-nationalcare gives you more information on how to be involved.

Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care said: “The new National Care Service will set the standards and guidance to support the design and delivery of community healthcare and social work services locally.

“The complexities of getting this right should not be underestimated. People with experience of the current system, whether in receipt of health and care support or delivering it, are the experts. We particularly need to hear those voices.

“These reforms are the biggest since the creation of the National Health Service almost 75 years ago and these Lived Experience Experts and Stakeholder Panels will make sure we deliver a service that puts people at its very heart. I encourage anyone with direct experience of social care to take part.”

The Independent Review of Adult Social Care, which recommended setting up the NCS, spoke very highly of ILF Scotland, recommending that we are an integral part of the NCS.

We are very keen therefore that some ILF recipients and their Award Managers/carers take part in the Experts Panel and would encourage you to sign up. Please let us know if you need any support with this.

If you need help to apply, you can also call a free Scottish Government helpline on 0808 196 1507.

Changes to Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant

The Scottish Child Payment will be expanded to 6 to 15-year-olds from 14 November 2022 and will increase to £25 per child per week from the same date. Families can start to apply for the benefit from 14 November.

From the 28 November, if someone is in receipt of Scottish Child Payment, they will receive the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and the School Age Payment automatically.

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment - from 14 November there will be new exceptions to the general rule that an individual is only entitled to the higher Pregnancy and Baby Payment in respect of their first child.

This will provide greater support for families who are more likely to be starting from scratch without the items that the Pregnancy and Baby payment is intended to provide for. Further details can be found at https://bit.ly/best-start-grants

You can find more information at https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/guidance-resources/resources

Adult Disability Payment

Adult Disability Payment is now open for new applications across Scotland. The benefit provides financial support to people aged between 16 and state pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or have a terminal illness. https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment

Help for people employing Personal Assistants

Are you a disabled person employing a Personal Assistant (PA)? Are you thinking of employing one? A new, free course from the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL) might be of interest.

The PA Employer Training session covers things like recruitment and interviews and the responsibilities of being an employer. The course is being run this month (December 2022), with plans to repeat sessions in person and online.

To register your interest, please email: sharron@gcil.org.uk or call 0141 550 4455.

You can also find useful employer advice on the ILF Scotland website: https://bit.ly/ilf-employer

Self-Directed Support Scotland has produced videos highlighting the important work done by Personal Assistants (PAs). https://vimeo.com/sdsscotland

Play your part and save a life

When it comes to cardiac arrest, everyone has a part to play in saving a life, including the one in five Scots who are disabled.

The Save a Life for Scotland campaign - supported by the Scottish Government - has been running since October 2015. The campaign's aim is to save more lives in Scotland from those suffering out of hospital cardiac arrests.

Over the past year, the campaign team has been working to ensure its resources and face-to-face sessions are inclusive for all. You will now find guides in BSL, Easy Read, audio, Makaton, and other formats on the campaign website. See https://savealife.scot/play-your-part/

Read more on this story at https://ilf.scot/blog/

Join us and share your views

We have two groups consisting of ILF Scotland 2015 Fund recipients and their representatives.

One in Northern Ireland called the Stakeholder Group and one in Scotland called the Advisory Group.

Group members provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about their experiences of using the Fund
• input into policy developments

If you receive funding from ILF Scotland, we are keen to hear from you if you think you might want to join one of these groups and help shape our future work.

Please contact Linda Scott (ILF Scotland’s Director for Policy, Improvement and Engagement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot and she will arrange to get in touch and discuss further with you.

Transition Fund Young Ambassadors' Group

If you receive funding from our Transition Fund, you can join our Young Ambassadors’ Group. As a member, you would:

• be invited to quarterly meetings with other Young Ambassadors
• attend events in person and online to raise awareness of the Fund
• be integral to any changes or development of the Fund
• work with ILF Scotland on podcasts, vlogs and blogs sharing your experiences of the Fund

If you would like to join the Young Ambassadors, please get in touch with Lee House, our Engagement Officer by emailing Lee.House@ilf.scot.

Transition Fund

Creating opportunities for young disabled people

The Transition Fund helps young disabled people in Scotland ‘try something new’. It provides funding support to help recipients learn new skills and build their confidence.

Niamh is 23 years old from Glenrothes in Fife. She has a learning disability and felt isolated when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “I had made a wee bit of a friend circle…. We used to go to the pub for our lunch and back to houses and talk about stuff. But when the pandemic came around that all stopped, so we haven’t done it in a while,” she said.

Happily, Niamh is getting creative and more active thanks to the Fund, which provided her with financial support to buy a new digital camera, laptop, printer, photography lessons, an e-bike and local gym membership to improve her fitness.

Niamh says getting the new camera will give her more confidence to take pictures. She will use her e-bike to get her to photography assignments and attend her local gym without the support of her parents. “It’s going to change my life forever, I think, because it’s going to give me an opportunity to
do other things,” she said.

Niamh’s father Kevin discovered the Transition Fund online and helped his daughter apply. “It’s been absolutely fantastic,” said Kevin.

“It’s going to open up so many opportunities for Niamh now to go and engage with the community a bit more and be a bit more independent.”

Read more about Niamh and other case studies on our website https://ilf.scot/all-case-studies/
Discover more about the Transition Fund and how to apply at https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/

Top tips for success

Here are some top tips for applying for the ILF Scotland Transition Fund.

Iain Wilson from ILF Scotland says: “Remember to include all the relevant documents - for instance benefits letters relating to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment (CDP) or Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

“Enclose a completed support template if you don’t have a disability benefit in payment. You will find a downloadable template on our website at https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/.

“Provide any quotes required - if the item that you are requesting is not covered by our price guide.

“And if you need money for a specific date, remember to submit your application at least 12 weeks before the funds are required.

“This will allow us to process your application and pay the funds, helping you start your chosen activity on time. If you apply any later, the funds may not be available when you need them.”

If you need more information or help with your application, please give us a call on 0300 200 2022 or email: enquiries@ILF.scot.

More than just cakes from Cait

One of our Transition Fund recipients and Ambassadors, the lovely Cait, has been branching out her business. She already owns and runs the hugely successful Cait's Bakes where she creates the most delicious cakes and sweet treats. Now she has launched healthy energy treats. Check them
out here: https://etsy.me/3h8VPmH

Transition Fund celebrates five years of success

This month (December 2022) ILF Scotland’s Transition Fund celebrated its fifth birthday.

Since it launched in December 2017, the Fund has distributed over £10 million across Scotland in the form of around 5,500 grants.

The Fund helps young disabled people to “try something new” – in turn building their independence, skills, confidence and opportunities to access their communities.

The Transition Fund’s five year anniversary was marked with a celebration event at the Glasgow Science Centre on 30 November.

ILF Scotland celebrated these milestones with more than 100 young disabled people who have accessed transformative funding and Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport.

The Transition Fund’s five-year anniversary coincided with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which took place on the 3 December. This year’s theme focused on transformative solutions for inclusive development and the role in innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world for disabled people.

The anniversary celebration provided a great opportunity for Transition Fund recipients to share and talk about their experiences of being supported by the Fund and how young disabled people successfully use funding in innovative ways to access their communities.

Peter Scott, OBE, ILF Scotland Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are so proud to celebrate five years of the Transition Fund which has had a profound impact on thousands of young disabled people in Scotland.

“The Transition Fund is unique in that it enhances the confidence, independence and participation of young people in their communities and society at large, with a focus on 'trying something new'.”

You can find more on our website: https://ilf.scot/transition-fund-celebration

Minister launches new Technology Grant

The Transition Fund Technology Grant is a new initiative designed to combat digital isolation for young people in Scotland aged 16-25 with a disability or impairment.

News of the new Grant was announced by Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd MSP on 30 November.

She said: “It was a real privilege to join ILF Scotland in celebrating the achievements of young people and the first five years of the Transition Fund.

“The Scottish Government fully recognises the challenges that many young disabled people experience as they transition to adult life and we are determined to improve the support offered to young people during this important period of their lives.

“I am therefore delighted to announce the launch of the ILF Scotland Transition Fund Technology Grant. This grant will be easy to apply for and offers the applicant the opportunity to get an iPad, a Surface Go 3 tablet or a Chromebook laptop to enable them to overcome digital isolation and connect with online and physical communities.”

So much in today’s world relies on young people being connected – applying for jobs, applying for benefits, finding out what activities are available in a local area, etc.

However, not all young disabled people are able to access technology or the internet without support.

The ILF Scotland Transition Fund Technology Grant can provide an IT solution to allow eligible young people the opportunity to become digitally connected and enable them to be active and included in this ever-growing online world.

A high-proportion of applicants to the Transition Fund already apply for IT equipment, so introducing this new service will speed up the process for a good number of applicants. The Technology Grant is quick and easy to apply for. We can also assist with a data package if required. Visit
www.ilf.scot/technology-grant for details.

Get in touch

Thanks for reading this newsletter. We hope you found it interesting. If you have feedback or ideas for future issues, please get in touch. We would welcome feedback on your preferred methods of receiving information from us and in what formats. We would love to hear from our 2015 and Transition Fund recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you.

Email: communications@ilf.scot or call our main number 0300 200 2022.

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Independent Living Fund Scotland
Ground Floor, Denholm House Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA

T: 0300 200 2022
E: enquiries@ilf.scot

 

ILF Scotland Limited is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland Company Number SC500075. Registered office Ground Floor, Denholm House Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA

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Contents

Helping recipients in the aftermath of COVID-19
The potential re-opening of the Independent Living Fund in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Review visits re-start
New vision for future of social care in Scotland
National Insurance contributions / Factsheet
Help shape our 2015 Fund strategies, policies and services
Charter for Involvement
ILF Scotland’s role in Corporate Parenting
ILF Scotland App

Northern Ireland
Special payments to social care Personal Assistants

Scotland
Adult Social Care workers – new minimum rate of pay
Disability Benefits
Transition Fund - help us help you
Calum shapes up with Transition Fund support
Search for Young Ambassadors

Podcasts
Care campaign

Get in touch

Helping recipients in the aftermath of COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions have eased across the UK but the pandemic isn’t over and we are aware that this has heightened social and economic inequalities in our communities, and want to do what we can to help.

ILF Scotland’s Director of Policy, Improvement and Engagement, Linda Scott, says: “We know the pandemic has disproportionately affected disabled people. A number of our recipients in both our 2015 and Transition Funds reported difficulties in accessing necessary services.

Some people told us their mental health was adversely affected and that they were experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. We also witnessed an increased stress on unpaid carers.”

We have been operating our policies as flexibly as we can, providing additional financial support within our Funds where we are able to. As we move to a ‘new normal’, we are updating our website on an ongoing basis with information for fund recipients and their Personal Assistants (PAs).

This includes information on PA £500 thank you payments, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, Lateral Flow Testing, and the Social Care Staff Support Fund. Please keep visiting our website and social media channels for updates and the latest information.

As always, if you have queries, you can also call us on 0300 200 2022 or email: enquiries@ilf.scot and we’ll do our best to help.

We recently published our second Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Report 2022-24. In this, we reported on our progress in embedding equality across every part of our organisation and set out the actions we will take in the next two years to make sure that we fully consider how we can best deliver our services to you.

The potential re-opening of the Independent Living Fund in Scotland and Northern Ireland

We continue to talk with our colleagues in the Scottish Government and The Department of Health in Northern Ireland about the possibility of re-opening the 2015 fund to new applicants for the first time since 2010.

In Scotland, the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Mr Kevin Stewart, has stated his ambition to re-open the 2015 Fund in line with the recommendation of the Feeley Review of Adult Social Care.

Re-opening ILF to new applicants in Northern Ireland remains under consideration by the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann MLA. We will provide an update when there are any developments.

Review visits re-start

As COVID-19 restrictions start to lift, ILF Scotland staff have resumed review visits to recipients’ homes. We are giving priority to those recipients where there is an urgent need to review support arrangements.

You will receive a letter from us with guidance about what you can expect before, during and after our visit and we will prioritise your health to ensure that our visits are as safe as possible.

If you have Social Work funded support, we will advise your local Social Work department that we expect a representative to attend the visit and we will ask them to provide information about the support they provide to you.

If we tell you about a planned review visit and you have concerns about this, please let us know. We can still complete some reviews by video if necessary. You can find more information on our website at www.ilf.scot and you can access a video detailing the process here: https://bit.ly/ilf-vid.

New vision for the future of social care

The Scottish Government says legislation to establish a National Care Service for Scotland (NCS) will ensure the best possible outcomes for people accessing care and support and end the ‘postcode lottery’ of care.

The National Care Service Bill will make Scottish Ministers accountable for adult social care in Scotland - a change strongly supported by those responding to the recent consultation on the plans.

The Bill provides the foundation for the NCS, and enables the fine detail of the new service to be co-designed with people who have direct experience of social care services.

Plans have also been published to explain how that collaboration will work. Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, said: “This is the most ambitious reform of public services since the creation of the NHS.

“People have told us they want a National Care Service, accountable to Scottish Ministers, with services designed and delivered locally. That’s exactly what we are going to deliver.

“The design of the NCS will have human rights embedded throughout, and the actual shape and detail of how the NCS works will be designed with those who have direct experience of accessing and providing social care. “

We are going to end the postcode lottery of care in Scotland. Through the National Care Service we’re going to ensure everyone has access to consistently high-quality care and support so they can live a full life. This is our ambitious goal and while it will not be easy to achieve it is vital that we do.”

Read more on the Scottish Government website: https://bit.ly/national-care-service

National Insurance (NI) Contributions

There are two types of NI contribution: employee and employer. ILF Scotland cannot contribute to employee NI contributions. ILF Scotland recipient employers should deduct employee NI contributions from gross wages in the same way as they would for PAYE.

In some cases, however, we may be able to help contribute to employer NI (for ILF funded PAs), if your total A new factsheet from the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group of the Chartered Institute of Taxation might be of interest.

It’s entitled “Is your PA employed or self-employed?” If you use a PA it might be worth downloading: https://bit.ly/3w53Vle employer NI bill for a financial year exceeds £5,000 and there is capacity within the overall maximum ILF Scotland award. Please contact us to discuss. (If your bill is less than this, it should be covered by HMRC’s Employment Allowance Scheme.)

Employment Allowance: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you need more information, please get in touch with us.

Factsheet

A new factsheet from the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group of the Chartered Institute of Taxation might be of interest. It’s entitled “Is your PA employed or self-employed?” If you use a PA it might be worth downloading: https://bit.ly/3w53Vle

Help shape our 2015 Fund strategies, policies and services

We welcome feedback from our 2015 Fund recipients. We have two groups that provide forums for people to talk to ILF Scotland and help shape our future work:

• The Scotland Advisory Group and
• The Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group.

Group members provide:

• feedback and advice on the operation of the Fund
• information about their experiences of using the Fund
• ideas for potential policy developments

These groups are currently looking for new ILF Scotland recipient members. If you are interested in being involved in either of these groups, please contact Linda Scott (ILF Scotland’s Director for Policy, Improvement and Engagement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot .

You can also call on 0300 200 2022.

Charter for Involvement

The charity ARC Scotland is inviting people with support needs in Scotland to join the National Involvement Network (NIN), offering free membership.

Catherine Dempsey, Project Manager, Arc Scotland, says: “Members will get regular info on NIN meetings and issues that might interest them, and hear about ways to have their voice heard. They’ll meet new people, and have the chance to share experiences and learn from each other. They will be able to vote on NIN decisions, share what matters to them, and influence change.”

Sign up and get more details on NIN membership on the ARC Scotland website: arcuk.org.uk If you’d like a paper copy of the application form, please email ARC Scotland: nin@arcuk.org.uk or call Diane on: 07498 470 223.

NIN launched the Charter for Involvement with the aim of supporting people who want to be involved and have a say about the services they receive, the organisations that provide their services, and their wider communities.

ILF Scotland signed the Charter for Involvement in 2018. We worked with our 2015 Advisory and Stakeholder Groups to co-produce Charter Statements, tailored to cover the areas that are important to our recipients, with the aim of enhancing their direct involvement and influence.

We jointly produced an action plan in April 2021, setting out how we would put the Charter Statements into practice. We published an update on our progress in April 2022 on our website. We have achieved a lot but will continue to work towards delivering our action plan over the next year. You can view this on our website.

ILF Scotland’s role in Corporate Parenting

As a public body of the Scottish Government, we are committed to supporting Scottish Ministers in their role as Corporate Parents.

The Statutory Guidance on Corporate Parenting defines it as “an organisation’s performance of actions necessary to uphold the rights and safeguard the wellbeing of a looked after child or care leaver, and through which physical, emotional, spiritual, social and educational development is promoted” (Scottish Government, 2015).

In relation to the Transition Fund, we commit to improving our understanding corporately of the needs of care experienced young people, up to and including the age of 25. Our aim is that we might better target our services to these young people, as well as providing them with the best advice and assistance we can.

We will do this by working with other Corporate Parents and care experienced young people, identifying how we can improve our plan, services and processes. We published our Corporate Parenting Action Plan in April 2021 and an update on progress in April 2022.

ILF Scotland App

We’re looking at rolling out an ILF Scotland mobile phone app – and we want to hear from our 2015 and Transition Fund recipients about the kind of features you would find useful.

If you have ideas or comments, please get in touch. Email: digit@ilf.scot . You can also call our main number on 0300 200 2022.

Leave contact details and someone from the digital team will get back to you. The app could, for example, offer ways to apply for funding, help you access payroll information, review your existing funding, and offer news and contact information.

If there are features you’d like to see, please let us know. Thank you.

Northern Ireland

Social care Personal Assistants in Northern Ireland – who worked during the pandemic – are able to claim a Special Recognition Payment, up to a maximum of £500. Applications are being handled through a new online portal. See https://bit.ly/ni-payments2022

A paper-based application form is also available. Applications will close on 31 July 2022.

If you have any questions about this payment, you can call a dedicated helpline – 0800 170 13 50.

This will be available from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Those eligible to receive the recognition payment must have been employed for a continuous four-week period between 17 March 2020 and 31 January 2021, as Personal Assistants.

Eligible people will fall within one of the following categories:

• Personal Assistants employed by Independent Living Fund recipients in Northern Ireland
• Personal Assistants employed by the Thalidomide survivors in NI via the Thalidomide Health Grant
• Personal Assistants employed via direct payments from Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs)
• self-employed Personal Assistants.

As with recognition payments to other health and social care workers, Personal Assistants will receive a pro-rata payment up to a maximum of £500, depending on the number of hours they work in an average week.

ILF Scotland is helping to administer the new payments and deliver the helpline in partnership with Scotland Excel, Self-Directed Support Scotland, and the NI Department of Health.

Northern Ireland Health Minister, Robin Swann, said the scheme acknowledges and thanks health and social care staff for their “immeasurable and vital contribution” throughout the pandemic. He said: “Personal Assistants are a vital part of our health and social care workforce and they have our utmost gratitude. We have developed the online platform so that the process can be as simple, straightforward and as speedily delivered as possible for applicants.”

Scotland

Adult Social Care workers – new minimum rate of pay

The Scottish Government increased the minimum rate of pay for Adult Social Care workers from £10.02 to £10.50 per hour from 1 April 2022 - an increase of 4.8 per cent.

In turn, ILF Scotland increased its financial support to disabled people who employ PAs, allowing them to pass on the wage increase to their staff.

We advised our recipients who employ PAs to pay at least £10.50 for every hour they work, including overnight hours of support and asked recipients who use a payroll agency to contact them to tell them to pay PAs the increased rate of pay from 1 April 2022.

We did not automatically increase the hourly rate charged by care providers. If you use a care provider and they write to you to advise you that they are increasing their hourly rate to allow them to pay their staff the new minimum Adult Social Care workers rate of £10.50 per hour, please send this letter to us by email or post and we will consider this increase.

We normally backdate for up to four weeks but please speak to us if you think there is an exceptional reason for backdating further.

Disability Benefits

This summer, some people in Scotland - who currently receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - will be transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP), administered by Social Security Scotland. A series of free events have been organised to help charities and organisations support the transfer.

Visit the Social Security Scotland website for more information. https://socialsecurity.gov.scot

Transition Fund – help us help you

Our Transition Fund is open to young disabled people aged 16-25 with a disability or impairment under the Equalities Act 2010.

It provides funding of up to £4,000 for one year to help applicants try new activities and experiences – allowing them to become more engaged and active in their community.

The Transition Fund supports young people living with a range of conditions including autism, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, and mental health, such as anxiety and depression. If you feel you could be eligible for the funding, please get in touch with us. The Fund is available across Scotland.

Staff regularly attend community events – in person and online - to raise its profile. Visit our website at www.ilf.scot and check our social media channels for updates on the latest events.

Iain Wilson, who manages the Transition Fund team, said: “We’re currently dealing with a high level of applications from across the country, and whilst this is good news, it does mean that it can take us up to 12 weeks to process an application. Applicants can help us minimise this time by making sure applications are fully completed, with the correct supporting information, before submitting.

“If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment (CDP) or Personal Independent Payment (PIP), you should send us your most recent letter – dated within the last two years. The letter needs to show your name, address, National Insurance number and the rate of benefit being paid. It’s best if you provide us with all four or five pages of your letter to make sure we have everything we need.

“Anyone who doesn’t have any of these benefits can still apply, and should use the Support Letter Template to confirm their eligibility for the Fund. This is available on our website at www.ilf.scot.

“If you have any problems applying to the fund, please contact us on 0300 200 2022 or email: enquiries@ilf.scot.

Since the opening of the Transition Fund in December 2017, ILF Scotland has:

• Received over 7,000 applications
• Approved over £10.5m in funding

Read our recipients' stories at www.ilf.scot

Calum shapes up with Transition Fund support

Calum Leather has been working off the pounds and improving his strength, thanks to the ILF Scotland Transition Fund.

Our support helped him join his local gym and pay for one-to-one sessions with a personal trainer. Calum (21), who has Down’s Syndrome, put on weight during COVID-19 lockdowns – and was keen to get into shape.

His mum, Mhairi, said: “He wanted to join a gym but it was difficult to get somewhere which would offer the support he needed.

“However, his current personal trainer has been great with him. Over the past year he has worked so hard - and improved his fitness and balance.

“We’re now planning to extend his membership when the ILF Scotland funding comes to an end this summer. Thanks so much for providing this support.”

Calum, who also enjoys swimming - attends the Tiphereth base in Edinburgh, run by the charity Camphill Scotland. The Transition Fund is open to young disabled people aged 16-25.

It provides funding of up to £4,000 for one year to help applicants try new activities and experiences – allowing them to become more engaged and active in their community.

Mhairi said: “We heard about the Transition Fund through a friend. It’s been a good support to Calum and allowed him to create habits that will – hopefully – be lifelong.”

Search for Young Ambassadors

Have you received money from our ILF Scotland Transition Fund? We’re looking for young people to join our Young Ambassadors’ group.

These amazing people help spread the word about the Transition Fund – and encourage others to apply for support. If you’d like to join the Young Ambassadors, please get in touch. Email: communications@ilf.scot with your contact details.

As a member you would:

• be invited to quarterly meetings with other Young Ambassadors
• attend events in person and online to raise awareness of the Fund
• be integral to any changes or development of the Fund
• work with ILF Scotland on podcasts, vlogs and blogs – sharing your experiences of the Fund.

Podcasts

Check out the ILF podcast, which premiered a few months ago. It’s available on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3xKjGj4  

There is also a video version on https://youtu.be/918umbxcSUU

The charity Iriss, which works with Social Work and Social Care to create positive change in Scotland is promoting its podcasts. Check them out. https://podcast.iriss.org.uk

 The BBC’s Access All podcast series promises “original disability news stories and features”. https://bbc.in/3wKtxUZ

Finally, the Family Fund charity has recruited Paddy and Christine McGuinness to front their new “Table Talk” podcast. It aims to raise “better awareness of the realities of daily life for families raising a disabled, or seriously ill child or young person”.

Care campaign

The Scottish Government is running a new campaign to attract new people into Adult Social Care. Visit https://caretocare.scot to find out more.

Get in touch

Thanks for reading this newsletter. We hope you found it interesting.

If you have feedback or ideas for future issues, please get in touch. We would love to hear from our 2015 and Transition Fund recipients about how ILF Scotland support has helped you.

We’d also welcome feedback on your preferred methods of receiving information from us.

Email: communications@ilf.scot or call our main number 0300 200 2022.

You can also write to us at Ground Floor, Denholm House Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA.

2015 Fund Review Visits

We normally visit our recipients once every two years, but we have been unable to do this because of COVID-19 restrictions.

As the Scottish and Northern Ireland Governments are now lifting restrictions, we have started to resume review visits to your home in line with guidance. We will give priority to those where there is an urgent need to review support arrangements.

You will receive a letter from us with guidance about what you can expect before, during and after our visit and we will prioritise your health to ensure that our visits are as safe as possible.

If you have social work funded support, we will advise your local department that we expect a representative to attend the visit and we will ask them to provide information about the support they provide you.

We recognise that whilst restrictions are easing not everyone will be comfortable with having people visit their home for review visits. If you are notified of a planned review visit and have concerns about this, please let us know. We can still complete some reviews by video if necessary.

You can find more information on our website at www.ilf.scot and you can access a video detailing the process here: https://bit.ly/ilf-vid.

COVID-19 Update

ILF Scotland Flexible Policy Approach

We understand that since March 2020, times have been incredibly difficult for our recipients, and we would like to reassure you that your wellbeing continues to be our priority.

If the support you normally receive from your Personal Assistant or care provider is currently being affected by an ongoing or new outbreak of COVID-19 and you need additional support, you can use any unspent ILF Scotland funding to pay for this, or if you do not have sufficient funds, please contact us and we will try to help.

If you have additional expenditure due to COVID-19, for example, paying for transport to COVID-19 vaccination or testing services then again, you can use any unspent ILF Scotland funding or contact us if you need to. You can find more information about how we are applying our policies flexibly during COVID-19 here.

COVID-19 - Booster, Third, and Flu Vaccinations

Scotland
The NHS is now offering booster doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to help the protection you gained from your first two doses and give you longer term protection. You and your Personal Assistants are eligible. You can get the booster vaccine from 24 weeks after your second dose, and you may get your flu and coronavirus booster vaccines at the same time. Please see NHS Inform for more information.

The flu vaccine: https://bit.ly/nhs-flu

Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccination: https://bit.ly/nhs-cov

The NHS is also offering a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine to immunocompromised people. This third full vaccination is an extra ‘top-up’ dose to help increase the level of protection for people who may not have generated a full immune response to the first two doses, and who may therefore be less well protected than the wider population. If you are eligible for a third dose, NHS Scotland will contact you to arrange your appointment. You may get a flu vaccination at the same time. You will also need a booster dose after six months to extend your protection. You can read more information here.

Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own arrangements for the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine. On the 15 November 2021, the Department of Health announced the extension of the booster vaccination to 40- 49 year olds. If you are eligible, you can book a vaccination appointment at a participating pharmacy or wait for your GP to call you.

Community pharmacies will vaccinate non-Trust employed frontline health care staff, which includes your Personal Assistants.

The NHS in Northern Ireland is also offering a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine to people with a severely weakened immune system.

This third full vaccination is an extra ‘top-up’ dose to help increase the level of protection for people who may not have generated a full immune response to the first two doses, and who may therefore be less well protected than the wider population. Trusts or GPs are responsible for identifying and inviting people for their third primary dose. You will also need a booster dose to extend your protection. You can read more information here: https://bit.ly/3rd-dose.

People eligible for the flu vaccine can access this in Northern Ireland through their GPs or participating Community Pharmacists. You can read more on the Flu and Covid vaccination plans page here: https://bit.ly/covid-ni.

2015 Fund and Transition Fund Publicity

The ILF Scotland Communications Team are always interested in hearing directly from any recipients about their personal stories and how ILF Scotland funding positively impacts their lives. We would love to hear from you if you would like to share your experience with others and be a part of any of our upcoming PR campaigns. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing communications@ILF.scot or by phoning 0300 200 2022.

Award Manager Sessions

ILF Scotland will be hosting two Award Manager Information Sessions on 14th and 16th December. The sessions will be held on Microsoft Teams. Please see joining details below. These sessions aim to provide people who manage ILF Scotland awards (2015 Fund) with helpful information about what this entails, signpost people to other useful sources of help and provide Award Managers with an opportunity to ask our staff any questions they have or discuss any issues with the wider group of attendees.

The Scotland Award Manager Information Session will be held on 14 December at 10.30 until 12.30.

The Northern Ireland Award Manager Information Session will be held on 16 December at 10.30 until 12.30.

If you have any questions or would like help registering, please email Lee House at communications@ilf.scot or phone 0300 200 2022.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

ILF Scotland recipient and Depute Chair of our Scotland Recipient Advisory Group, Andy, developed and maintained ILF Scotland’s online Forum. Andy wanted to share some information and a blog with our recipients.

Hi, my name is Andy. I suffered from my trauma back in September 2003, this trauma affected my movement and my ability to speak. Assistive technology wasn’t as advanced then as it is now and help and support weren’t as readily available either. Today’s Assistive Technology can provide you with an effective way of communicating and having full access to IT.

Being able to communicate effectively opens up the affected persons mind, you can then:

• freely communicate,
• build new and maintain existing relationships,
• get involved with matters that are important to you,
• access training and further education,
• secure one of the many forms of work and,
• develop your own choice and control over your life.

You can have a chat online with me to discuss things like:

• Get guidance on where to have an AAC assessment carried out,
• Who will provide funding for AAC equipment,
• The types of AAC equipment and software that are available,
• You can also exchange information with other people who are experiencing similar barriers in life when we refer to communication

Join me at the ILF Scotland Forum Site: https://ilf.scot/ilf-scotland-forum.

Recipient Advisory Group (Scotland) & Stakeholder Group (Northern Ireland)

The purpose of these groups is to support the improvement and development of ILF Scotland, for recipients living in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Group Members provide feedback and advice on all matters relating to the operation of the fund, including experiences of using the existing fund, communicating and interacting with ILF Scotland and providing insight and advice into Recipient Advisory Group (Scotland) & Stakeholder Group (Northern Ireland) potential policy developments relating to the existing fund. Both groups are currently looking for new members, particularly from among our disabled recipients. If you are interested in being involved in either group please contact Linda Scott (Director for Policy, Improvement and Engagement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot or phoning 0300 200 2022.

UN International Day of People with Disabilities Campaign

The UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UNDPWD) is on 3 December. The theme for this year is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.” ILF Scotland will be running an exciting campaign with a number of our recipients, Stakeholder and Advisory Group members to celebrate the day, linking in with this year’s theme. You can check out what we get up to and get involved online on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels and our website www.ilf.scot.

2015 Fund – Scotland

Adult Social Care Pay Uplift

The Scottish Government has announced that as part of their winter plans for social care they are funding an increase in the minimum rate of pay for frontline workers. The minimum amount that adult social care workers, including Personal Assistants, can be paid from 1st December 2021 is increasing from £9.50 per hour to £10.02 per hour.

If we have not done so already, we will be writing to all of our recipients who are affected by this change to inform them that their ILF award will be increased from 1st December and that the increase is to ensure they can pay at least this new rate of pay.

Please notify your payroll provider if you use one to ensure the new rate is paid to your Personal Assistants. If you use a Care Provider for your support it is likely that they will increase their charges to ensure they comply with this new minimum wage. Your ILF award is being increased in anticipation of this.

We are hearing a lot about difficulties in recruiting social care staff at present, and we hope this increase will help to alleviate some of these challenges.

National Care Service and ILF Scotland re-opening

Following the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in Scotland, which reported at the beginning of 2021, the Scottish Government ran a consultation on the creation of a National Care Service, which was one of the main recommendations of the review. The consultation has now closed, and over 1000 responses have been submitted, including one from ILF Scotland. The process of analysing the responses and working towards implementation has now started. We expect a report on the consultation response in early 2022.

The Independent Review recommended that the ILF Scotland 2015 Fund be re-opened to new applications. Although there was no specific question about this in the consultation document, it stated that:

“The Independent Living Fund (ILF) was established in 2015, following the closure of a UK Government programme, and is effectively a national scheme of direct payments to support independent living by disabled people. The Independent Review of Adult Social Care (IRASC) called for ILF to be re-opened. We will consider options for the future of the ILF within the context of the development of the National Care Service.”

We continue to work with our colleagues in Scottish Government, exploring possible options for re-opening the fund. The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart, met with the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group on 18th October, where he confirmed that it is his ambition to re-open ILF. We will keep you updated with any developments.

Meeting with Minister and Advisory Group Members

Members told the Minister about what they used their funding for and spoke about the positive impact it made to their lives. Members commented that ILF Scotland’s culture and funding empowers recipients to be employers, to exercise choice and control, and to be productive members of society and live a good life regardless of their impairment.

The Minister thanked members for their stories and for their hard work and dedication to the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group.

The Minister spoke about the proposed National Care Service (NCS) and said he would like the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group members to be heavily involved in the consultation process.

Duty of Candour and Complaints information

The intention of the Duty of Candour legislation and regulations introduced in Scotland aim to ensure that organisations are open and transparent with people who use health, care and social work services. Although not required by law to comply with the Duty of Candour, ILF Scotland is fully committed to act in accordance with the principle of the Duty as it relates to our own service provision in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Our procedures ensure that we fully investigate all complaints according to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) published Duty of Candour and Complaints information guidance and complaints handling procedures. We also make sure that these comply with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO). We use feedback from the complaints we receive as a learning opportunity to continuously improve our services and publish information about the complaints we receive. In addition, we adhere to the Public Records Scotland Act and maintain a guide to information on our website.

The SPSO has updated its model Complaints Handling Procedure. ILF Scotland acts in accordance with this and we have updated our complaints handling procedure in line with this. You can find our revised procedure here.

At ILF Scotland, we strive to provide the best possible service we can but if on occasion we don’t get it right we want to know so please tell us. We welcome all complaints as an important feedback mechanism and we make it easy for people to complain to us – you can do this in person, by phone, email or post.

In the first six months of 2021-2022, ILF Scotland received 16 complaints across both 2015 and Transition Fund services, broken down as follows.

Four complaints related to the 2015 Fund and 12 to the Transition Fund. Collectively we investigated 12 and upheld nine of these. We capture each learning point from this valuable feedback about our service and act to address any issues raised through revised procedures, staff training, etc., in the spirit of continuous organisational improvement.

National Wellbeing Hub Webinars

Following the success of the Focus on Wellbeing programme, the National Wellbeing Hub is now offering a programme series that covers the period from mid-November 2021 to the end of January 2022. It is aimed at everyone working in health and social work/ social care in Scotland. The various sessions are intended to support and empower everyone working in health and social care services to enhance personal resilience during challenging times ahead, especially over the winter months. You can find more information here: https://wellbeinghub.scot/our-events.

Northern Ireland

ILF Potential Re-opening

Work has continued behind the scenes on finalising the formal submission to the Minister for Health on re-opening ILF in Northern Ireland. This work has been slowed down by the wider COVID-19 impact, but we hope that it will progress in the next few months.

Advance Care Planning – Northern Ireland

The Department of Health is developing an Advance Care Planning policy for adults in Northern Ireland. A key aim of the policy will be to encourage people to think about what matters to them and if they became unwell, to consider their wishes, feelings, beliefs and values to help them to plan for their future. This is part of a programme of work supported by the Department of Health to develop and implement a public health approach to palliative care. You can read more about this here: https://bit.ly/3nrWCzM.

Some of our Stakeholder Group Members attended consultation events earlier in the year and Corinna Grimes, Regional Advance Care Planning Lead, attended the Stakeholder Group meeting on 9 November 2021 and delivered a presentation. Group Members were able to feed in their views, which Corinna will take on board, and she will be meeting individually with a few of the group’s members to follow up on specific points raised at the meeting.

Staff Recognition Payments – Northern Ireland

Health and Social Care Staff in Northern Ireland are to receive a £500 Special Recognition Payment. Personal Assistants employed through the use of Direct Payments or payments from the Independent Living Fund or Thalidomide Fund will be eligible for the payment.

Payments to staff in the independent sector will be taken forward in two phases. The first phase will see payments made to eligible staff in care homes and domiciliary care providers. This phase is currently well underway.

Further work is ongoing to finalise arrangements to deliver the payment in a second phase to the remaining categories of independent sector staff including Personal Assistants. The Department of Health will communicate details of phase two shortly and will provide an update of timeframes. You will be able to check this link for updates in information: https://bit.ly/3Duraqo.

Transition Fund

Transition Fund Ambassador – Andrew Batchelor

One of our Transition Fund Ambassadors, Andrew, was chosen by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP as one of Scotland’s local heroes and was invited to attend the official opening of the Scottish Parliament for the 2021/22 Parliamentary session by Her Majesty the Queen at the beginning of October.

Recently, he was also featured in The Courier showcasing his rise to success with his business Dundee Culture. Andrew started Dundee Culture at just 12 years old to showcase Dundee and has built this into a community with a massive following. Find out more about Andrew and his business here.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Cait Kostka

We are delighted to hear that our Transition Fund Ambassador, Cait Kostka, has been nominated for the Dumfries and Galloway Life Awards in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category! Cait is excited for the Christmas period with a diary full of repeating customers and acontinuously growing business, Cait’s Bakes. Find out more about Cait’s journey to creating a successful business here.

Facebook Live Event – Sharing Experiences and Inspiring Futures

In October, ILF Scotland held its first Facebook Live event. This was a fantastic night, hosted by Disability Activist, Emily Yates with Chair of the ILF Scotland Board, Susan Douglas-Scott, and one of our Transition Fund Young Ambassadors, Andrew, as guests. They spoke about their experiences as disabled people and the barriers they face on a daily basis. If you didn’t manage to make this event, you can rewatch it here: https://bit.ly/3FkvUiH. You can find out about more of our upcoming events through our Facebook page.

Online Application and Processing Timescales

The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the Transition Fund is online. You can find the link to apply online here: https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/how-can-i-apply/.

We are currently receiving a very high volume of applications and because of this, we aim to process the majority of our applications online. If you cannot apply online for any reason or if you need more information or help with your application, please give us a call on 0300 200 2022 or email enquiries@ILF.scot.

Currently, we are taking approximately 10 weeks to process applications.

Please be assured that we will be in touch with you about your application as soon as possible. If you need funding for a specific time, please make sure that you apply in good time to allow us to process the application before you need the funding. Please note that we cannot fund anything retrospectively because the Transition Fund is an entirely discretionary fund and we must ensure that people meet the eligibility criteria.

We can only process applications once we have all of the information we ask you for. If this isn’t supplied with your application, it will delay the time we take to pay the grant. It is really important that you upload the correct documents when applying online, otherwise this will delay your application. If you are in receipt of DLA or PIP, please upload your most recent update letter – these are usually sent out in January to March each year.

If you do not receive DLA or PIP, you need to supply a letter of support from a professional person that knows you well enough to tell us how your disability or impairment affects you on a day to day basis. You can find out more information here - you can download the Transition Fund Support Letter Template from the bottom of the page. You can find out further information and apply on our website: www.ilf.scot/transition-fund.

#TrySomethingNew

Since the opening of the Transition Fund in December 2017 ILF Scotland has:

• Recieved over 5,200 applications
• Approved over £8.3 miillion in funding

Read our recipients stories at: https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/.

If you require this document in any alternative format please contact us on 0300 200 2022.

COVID-19 Update

These remain very challenging times and we want to reassure all of our recipients that your well-being during this time continues to be our first priority. We have been able to carry on our day-to-day work and make payments as usual. If you have a change in circumstances, we can still process this so please let us know.

Flexible Policies

We have applied our policies flexibly during the pandemic and we have used additional funding from the Scottish Government to make additional, temporary, replacement care/support payments when this was necessary to enable our recipients to continue to live independently in their homes and communities. We can continue to agree temporary arrangements until the end of June 2021. As soon as our colleagues in Scottish Government advise us of any further extension to this date, we will post this on our website.

Social Care Workers – financial hardship

Social care workers should not experience financial hardship because of COVID-19. If your PA is/was sick or self-isolating and only receive(d) statutory sick pay or an amount less than their expected income, you can top this up to their normal income, providing their absence is/ was because of COVID-19. You can use unspent ILF Scotland funds to meet this cost but if you don’t have sufficient funds available, please contact us about additional funding to cover this cost until the end of June 2021. As soon as our colleagues in Scottish Government advise us of any further extension to this date, we will post this on our website.

Feedback Survey

We wanted to learn about the changes our recipients had to make to their support arrangements, and what support our organisation could offer during and after this difficult and turbulent time so we launched a survey on 17th December 2020, which ran until 28th February 2021. The survey findings have helped to shape our own recovery from the impact of COVID-19 as we start to plan the road back to a level of normality. We are currently in the process of finalising the report and confirming the actions that we need to take forward. We will publish a summary of this on our website as soon as it is ready.

Recipient story – Hayleigh Barclay

My name is Hayleigh Barclay. I’m 33 and live in Ayrshire. I have recently been signed up as a contributor for the BBC Social and I am currently working on my first article. In my spare time, I write short stories for the online magazine Disability Horizons and over the years I have campaigned for disability rights, including access to equal education, travel, and better media representation of disabled people. I have recently had a book published which I wrote as part of my Doctorate thesis.

The Girl of the Ashes is a Gothic thriller full of kick-ass female vampires, dark humour, and magic. The story follows an 18-year-old assassin, Elise, who is caught in a war between her vampire family and the corrupt religious cult, the Inservium. Set in 19th century Scotland, the novel hosts a diverse range of characters including a disabled vampire (Natashka) who is proving to be very popular with readers. The friendship between Elise and Natashka plays a pivotal part of the story and it was important to me to include a disabled character at the centre of the action. The two characters are very different – Elise is serious and deadly and Natashka is eccentric and loyal – but together they are a force to be reckoned with, nothing can stand in their way of saving their coven. The book is aimed at older teens and adults and contains a lot of action scenes with strong women at the heart of the story. It is available online from Amazon, Waterstones, and other book retailers.

For the past year or so I have been shielding. The most difficult part was not being able to meet with friends or travel. ILF Scotland has been a massive source of support to me during this challenging time. My Assessor, Marie, has been in regular contact throughout the year and it has been extremely reassuring to me and my family knowing that there has been this level of support, which has put my health and care needs first. I always had a point of contact if I had any questions or concerns and knew that ILF Scotland would do their best to resolve any issues.

Return to Physical Reviews

We normally visit our recipients, on average, once every two years but we have been unable to do this because of the COVID-19 restrictions.

We are delighted to tell you that we are hoping to resume visits to your home for review assessments as soon as it is safe to do so, and in line with other public bodies and care agencies restarting visits. We need to give priority to visiting those first where there is an urgent need to review support arrangements currently in place.

We will send out guidance about what you can expect before, during and after our visit. We will prioritise your health to ensure that our visits are as safe as possible and prioritise your welfare by helping your support resume as fully as possible to meet your agreed outcomes. We will be producing a short video on our website with more information, which you will be able to view here.

If you have social work support, we have advised your local social work department that we intend to resume visits with them and that we expect to see their support in place. Where you and all of us agree that a video review is appropriate, we can complete some reviews this way.

Information for Award Managers

We have updated the following documents to reflect current legislation/good practice and to align with our policies.

Your Responsibilities Guide

This guide provides a range of information about ILF Scotland funding. It is very important for people managing ILF Scotland awards to be aware of the information in this Guide as it sets out the responsibilities in undertaking this role. You can read the Your Responsibilities Guide on our website.

Employer Support Information

Note Employers must ensure that they comply with their legal obligations under employment law and any other relevant legislation. ILF Scotland cannot provide legal advice but we have produced this information note to provide guidance, information and signposting to help ensure that ILF Scotland recipients, as employers, use their ILF Scotland funding to employ personal assistants as part of safe and effective recruitment processes, in line with relevant legislation and good practice. You can read this document on our website here.

Award Manager Online Workshops

We plan to hold a few online workshops with award managers beginning around September / October this year to offer advice and support on how best to manage ILF Scotland funding in line with the above, Your Responsibilities and the Employer Support Information. We will provide you with more details soon.

Policy Update

We have recently completed a review of all of our policies and revised them, largely to reflect current legislation and good practice. We have simplified and streamlined them where we can, and this has allowed us to delete a few and incorporate a few more together. Please see the revised versions on our website.

We would like to draw your attention in particular to the following policy change.

Policy 41 Use of ILF Scotland Funding

ILF Scotland encourages recipients to use their funding flexibly to achieve their outcomes. We have reviewed this policy to offer increased flexibility, choice and control to our recipients, in line with the principles of Self-directed Support. Read policy 41 here.

Charter for Involvement Action Plan

ILF Scotland has signed up to the Charter for Involvement, written by members of the National Involvement Network (NIN).

The Chair of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland’s Board, Susan Douglas-Scott, signed up to the Charter on behalf of ILF Scotland. By doing this, ILF Scotland has confirmed that it:

• Agrees with the principles and Statements in the Charter
• Will put the Charter principles and Statements into practice
• Will work in partnership with people who use our services to check how the organisation is doing on a regular basis
• Will make sure that all the workers in our organisation know about the Charter
• Will draw up an action plan that will show how we will improve involvement in line with the Charter principles and Statements
• Will discuss progress against this action plan with the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group and the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group.

At ILF Scotland, we sincerely value the involvement of our recipients in our work and we listen to what they tell us and identify opportunities for improvement.

We believe that we currently demonstrate a high level of compliance with the Charter Statements but we are always keen to improve further so we have developed an Action Plan Charter for Involvement – ILF, which focuses on areas where we can build on our current good practice and make it even better.

We co-produced the Action Plan with disabled recipients and their representatives of the ILF Scotland 2015 Fund via our Advisory and Stakeholder groups.

ILF Scotland Forum

ILF Scotland has always encouraged recipients to be involved in the future of the Fund. As a way of bringing ILF Scotland closer to recipients, we have developed an ILF Scotland Forum online forum where you and your support network can get involved in all of the things that matter to you. You can find out more on our website.

Pension Credit

We encourage any recipient or family carer approaching, or over, state pension age to claim Pension Credit. If you get Pension Credit, you can also get other help, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• Council Tax Reduction
• A free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• Help with your heating costs.

If you are unsure whether you may be entitled to Pension Credit, you can phone the Pension Credit Claim line on 0800 99 1234 for help. When you make a claim over the phone, pension staff will take all the details and fill in the application for you.

Alternatively, you could contact a local advice agency or a Citizens Advice Bureau.

There is also an online PC calculator on the Gov.uk website.

Pension Credit is a complex area. Age UK has lots of good information on its website including a general benefit calculator and a very helpful factsheet with lots of examples. You can read more here.

Benefits and Tax Credit Rates

Rightsnet have provided a comprehensive list of benefits and tax credit rates for 2021/22. Please visit the Rightsnet webpage for more information.

Scotland

New Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care

Following the recent Scottish Parliamentary election, and the subsequent announcement of a new Ministerial Team, we are pleased to inform you that the new Minister with responsibility for ILF Scotland is Kevin Stewart. New Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care You can find further information about Mr Stewart on gov.scot and the Scottish Parliament Website. [Edit 2023: Kevin Stewart resigned in 2023 so his profile on gov.scot no longer exists.]

We will soon be writing to Mr Stewart to congratulate him on his appointment and to seek a meeting with him. At this meeting we will ask Mr Stewart about the Government’s plans for the recommendations of the recent Independent Review of Adult Social Care, and in particular the recommendation regarding the re-opening of ILF in Scotland. We will keep you updated on this matter.

Scotland 2015 Fund

Scottish Living Wage

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that employers can pay social care workers the Scottish Living Wage. The Scottish Living Wage has increased to £9.50 from 1st April 2021.

If you employ Personal Assistants

You should increase the hourly rate of pay to a minimum of £9.50 per hour from 1st April 2021. We should already have written to you and increased your award to allow you to pay this new Scottish Living Wage for every hour of support you receive from your Personal Assistants, including overnight hours of support. This increase, which is in line with current ILF Scotland policies, will not affect your care and support package. You must keep your financial records of payments as normal and must not use this increase for any other purpose.

If you use a payroll agency

If you have not already done so, you must contact the payroll agency you use to ask them to pay your Personal Assistant(s) £9.50 per hour, with effect from 1 April 2021.

If you use a care provider / agency to provide your care or support

If your provider intends to increase the hourly rate they charge you, to enable it to pay the Scottish Living Wage, it should advise you of this in writing and in advance of the increase. You should post/email a copy of the letter to us at the address on the reverse of this newsletter.

We will consider such increases on an individual basis, using local Health & Social Care Provider Framework rates as guidance. We can backdate payments to cover such increases for a maximum of four weeks.

If you have any questions regarding this information, or if your circumstances have changed, please contact your Specialist Caseworker on 0300 200 2022 or by emailing enquiries@ilf.scot. Currently, our office opening hours are 9am until 2pm.

Policy 4 Available Income Contribution

We are very pleased to tell you that from 1 June 2021, we will be able to reduce the amount of money that our recipients living in Scotland are expected to pay towards the cost of their ILF Scotland funded care and support. The previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, announced a reduction in the maximum ILF Scotland Available Income Contribution, from £83 to £43 per week, which means that the maximum amount anyone will contribute now will be £43. Read policy 4 here.

More than 900 of our recipients will benefit from this change. We wrote individually to those recipients and amended their ILF Scotland award. If your Available Income contribution was greater than £43 per week and you think you should have heard from us about this change and have not, please contact us on 0300 200 2022 or email enquiries@ilf.scot.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group, chaired by Jim Elder-Woodward, for all of their efforts in bringing about this change. Jim and the group have spoken to the Scottish Government directly and through ILF Scotland to request this change and we are pleased their efforts have been rewarded.

If you would like to know more about the work of the ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group, please contact Peter Scott or Linda Scott on 0300 200 2022 or email enquiries@ilf.scot.

Personal Contribution

If the support you receive is reduced due to COVID-19, you may still wish to pay your personal contribution amount to retain services for future support. ILF Scotland can provide additional funds to cover the cost of this, if needed. Just get in touch.

£500 thank you payment to Personal Assistants

Do you employ a Personal Assistant (PA)? If so, they may be entitled to a thank you payment of up to £500 from the Scottish Government, in recognition of their tremendous work during the pandemic. Details of the process for eligible PAs to receive their payments are still being finalised, however we will write to all ILF Scotland recipients who employ PAs shortly with the necessary details. Please look out for your letter, and let your PAs know what they need to do to make sure they do not miss out.

Information for Carers

Vaccines for Carers

People who provide vital unpaid face-to-face care and support for others were able to register for the COVID-19 vaccine online until 26th April 2021. If you missed this deadline, please contact the COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 or visit this page for more information.

Carers Allowance Supplement

The Scottish Government has agreed a Carers Allowance Supplement payment. Carer’s in Scotland who were getting Carer’s Allowance on 12th April 2021 will automatically get a Carer’s Allowance Supplement of £231.40 on 16th June 2021. People will receive a letter notifying them that a payment has been made. You can find more information here.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Hub Scotland’s National Wellbeing Hub –Support in difficult times for unpaid carers and employers of Personal Assistants.

The Scottish Government has established a National Wellbeing Hub for everyone who has a responsibility to provide support to others, including unpaid carers, in recognition that people’s wellbeing is now more important than ever. The Hub offers advice and support to help people adapt and cope with the day-to-day challenges of life such as isolation, anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, feeling vulnerable and keeping up spirits, during this global pandemic. There is a designated page of information for unpaid carers to signpost them to help and support. In addition, there is information for people who employ Personal Assistants with links to organisations who can provide advice and guidance about Self-directed Support.

Left Behind Contributors

There is a call for contributors, who are living in Scotland, for a new project regarding the ‘left behind’, which will include a book of the project findings. Everyone involved will be interviewed about their experiences with the benefit system, especially the disabled community and the unemployed. All commentary will be anonymised. If you are living in Scotland and looking to be involved in this, please email Mo Stewart.

Transition Fund

Over £3m in life-changing funds awarded to young disabled people

We are delighted to have awarded over £3m in funding to approximately 2,000 people through our Transition Fund in the past year. COVID-19 restrictions have heightened the potential for social isolation amongst young disabled people and prevented many from pursuing typical activities, such as learning to drive or joining a sports club. However, some young people made inventive, successful, applications to the Transition Fund and this helped them to thrive throughout the changing restrictions.

“For the first time in my life I don’t feel a sense of dread and wake up excited to go to work. I’m so happy to now have a legitimate career after many difficult years at school where I felt held back due to my ADHD and dyslexia. I wish I’d heard about ILF Scotland back then!” – Transition Fund recipient, Joe.

Check out more stories on our website here.

New grant limit

From December to March, due to an exceptionally high level of demand, our Transition Fund had to operate to a £1,500 maximum grant limit. We have now reviewed this with the Scottish Government and from 1st April 2021, we were able to increase this to £4,000.

Find out how to apply here.

End of grant period information

If we have awarded you a Transition Fund grant for activities that are suspended because of Coronavirus restrictions (e.g. gym memberships, driving lessons, etc.), we are happy to extend the grant period to enable you to complete these. All you have to do is get in touch and let us know.

Once you have completed your activity and have sent us proof of spending i.e. receipts for the items / activities purchased using the grant, you can apply again to the Transition Fund provided you continue to fit the eligibility criteria.

“For the first time in my life I don’t feel a sense of dread and wake up excited to go to work. I’m so happy to now have a legitimate career after many difficult years at school where I felt held back due to my ADHD and dyslexia. I wish I’d heard about ILF Scotland back then!”

Joe Eaglesham

Northern Ireland

ILF Fund

Following on from the extensive work, research and development carried out by the Working Group, a set of options were presented to officials prior to Christmas 2020. They have taken this with other information and have been developing advice for the Minister of Health on the feasibility, affordability and sustainability of reopening the Independent Living Fund to new applicants in Northern Ireland. Though the current financial position is extremely challenging, officials are working hard to look at how best to address the ongoing funding required for a potential reopening of the fund in Northern Ireland.

Advance Care Planning Policy for Adults in Northern Ireland

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is developing an Advance Care Planning policy. A key aim of the policy will be to encourage people to think about what matters to them and if they became unwell, to consider their wishes, feelings, beliefs and values to help them to plan for their future. You can read more about this at Advance Care Planning Policy for Adults in Northern Ireland.

Stakeholder Group

The purpose of this group is to support the improvement and development of ILF Scotland, for recipients living in Northern Ireland, by advising on all matters relating to the operation of the fund, including experiences of using the existing fund, communicating and interacting with ILF Scotland and providing insight and advice into potential policy developments relating to the existing fund.

The group is currently looking for more members. If you are interested in being involved in the group please contact Linda Scott (Director for Policy, Engagement and Improvement) by emailing Linda.Scott@ILF.scot or phoning 0300 200 2022.

Story from Michaela

The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put in place have been incredibly hard for disabled people and have had a devastating impact. Our Northern Ireland recipient, Michaela Hollywood, highlighted this in a piece shared on BBC Ouch. Read it here.

If you require this document in any alternative format please contact us on 0300 200 2022.