2022 - Northern Ireland Advisory Group Action Points (Easy Read)

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group

Action Points from September and December 2022 meetings

Easy Read

September 2022 meeting action points

A laptop with an email envelope on the screen alongside a pile of cash and a hand pressing a calculator.

Linda to add information into the external newsletter about employee contributions and national insurance.

December 2022 meeting action points

A man in a wheelchair talks to a lady who is kneeling down.

Colin and Linda to talk about raising the amount that Personal Assistants are paid per hour, by 12 per cent.

This should be done before April 2023 and backdated to 1 April 2022.

Backdated means the money should be paid from a date in the past.
This action has been done.

Lee to share weblinks from Michaela to the communication team about:

  • personal assistant support
  • personal assistant training

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

2022 - Scotland Advisory Group Actions - May, August and December 2022 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting

Action Points from May, August and December 2022 Meetings

May 22 Meeting Actions

1. Lee will send out electronic forms to the group to check and make any comments on.

2. Lee to add registration and regulation of personal assistants to the next meeting agenda.

A black lady in a suit and glasses points at a sign that reads 1 2 3.

3. Lee to put Terms of Reference higher up on the next agenda.

August 2022 meeting actions

Papers with the word contract at the top and a picture of a handshake. A hand with a pen signs the document.

1.Peter and Linda to talk about agencies agreeing to contracts before the person who gets ILF money has been told.

A group of people including one holding a cane, one in a wheelchair and one with a helmet giving the thumbs up. The lady in the middle wears red.

2. Lee to change the wording in future documents, from ‘people with disabilities’ to ‘disabled people’.

3. Lee to add an agenda item to the next meeting agendas.

The agenda item will be about the joint stakeholder event.

4. Lee to keep ‘Planned registration and regulation of personal assistants’ on the agenda for the next meeting.

December 2022 Meeting Actions

A man with a maroon rasta cap / tam on his head. He wear a suit and is about to sign something on the desk in front of him.

1.The Advisory Group have asked that Jim send a further letter to the Minister Kevin Stewart about his decision not to reduce the Available Income contributions.

2. Linda and Lee will send out an email to ask who would like to be part of a working group to discuss and organise the Joint Stakeholder Groups meeting in Scotland.

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

202212 - Northern Ireland Advisory Group Minutes - December 2022

Note of Meeting

Tuesday 6 December, 11.30am – 3pm
The Mount Conference Centre/Zoom.

Permanent Members Present

Affiliate Members Present

ILF Scotland Representatives in Attendance

Department of Health Representatives in Attendance

Permanent Members Apologies

List of Actions:

  1. Colin and Linda to discuss uplifting the PA rate by 12% in advance of April 2023 and backdating to 1 April 2022. (Complete)
  2. Lee to share links from Michaela to the communication team on PA support and future landing programme.

1. Welcome, Introductions, Apologies and Housekeeping

David welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if everyone was happy for the audio of the meeting to be recorded for minuting purposes. All agreed.

David advised that Michaela Hollywood and Robert Dallas had been invited and had agreed to join as Permanent Members and, on behalf of the Group, welcomed them especially.

David advised also that, in due course, Peter Toogood, Deputy Secretary, Social Services Policy, would be joining us, on behalf of Peter May, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health, so that we might thank them in person for their continuing and robust support of the Independent Living Fund.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The previous meeting’s minutes were approved and will be uploaded to the website. ILF Communications Team to action. 

Actions points from previous meeting: 

  1. Future agenda point for next meeting to be added about Policy 26 and being an Award Manager. (Complete)

3. Matters arising

David advised that he had written, on behalf of Members, to Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health, thanking him for his support for us and his support for re-opening the Fund and asking him to consider in the meantime reducing the Available Income required and increasing the Maximum Award; and,
subsequently, with the leaving of the Minister, to Peter May, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, thanking him for his support and inviting him to join us in person at this meeting.

David asked Linda to comment on Employers’ National Insurance contributions for Recipients and whether this had been included in the most recent ILF Scotland Newsletter. Linda confirmed this had been included.

David reminded Members of the intention to have a joint Advisory / Stakeholder Group Gathering in Scotland later this year. As before, Members expressed their enthusiasm. Peter, Harvey and Linda advised they will be working on this as soon as possible.

4. Re-opening of the 2015 Fund in Northern Ireland

David informed the Group that, at a meeting of the Disabled People’s Parliament, in December, representatives from each of the 5 main Parties confirmed their commitment to the re-opening of the Fund. David then invited Colin to give us any update he might have on the re-opening of the Fund. Colin advised the Group that matters regarding the re-opening of the Fund are in a similar position from his last update at the previous meeting: that until the budget is agreed for the next 3 years nothing can be confirmed.

5. ILF Available Income Reduction

David thanked everyone involved for their hard work in supporting the reduction in Available Income contributions. Colin advised the Group that, before his departure, the Minister had agreed to reduce the contribution that Recipients make to their ILF Award to £43.00 per week from £103.00 per week, effective from 1 October 2022. Colin added that he hopes that further down the line there will be an opportunity to abolish this completely.

6. PA Remuneration, Recruitment and Retention

David expressed his thanks and that of Members to Colin, Linda, Harvey and Peter and everyone else involved in the Department and Independent Living Fund Scotland for working with such dedication and determination to support us, to reduce the Available Income requirement and to increase the Fund’s current rates and asked them to elaborate on the matter. Colin advised the Group that to help support the recruitment and retention of PA’s, in October 2022, the Minister announced an additional £7.1 million for Direct Payments.

This will allow Trusts to increase the DP funded PA hourly rate to £14.75 gross i.e. inclusive of any holiday pay, pension/insurance costs, etc. and represents an increase of 12%. Colin confirmed that to try to achieve parity, ILF Scotland will also be able to apply an increase to PA hourly rates and backdate any increase to 1 April 2022. Linda confirmed that this involves a considerable amount of work, looking at each award and component and considering what increase can be achieved within the overall available budget. ILF Scotland will begin the preparatory work as soon as possible and Linda will liaise with Colin around a suitable increase for ILF funded PA hourly rates with a view to implementing this as early as possible in 2023.

There was a request from several members of the Group to consider uplifting these rates earlier in the financial year in the future. Members referenced the fact that the Minimum Wage increases at least in April each year and, as employers, Recipients and Award Managers are required by law to ensure they pay this rate, which can be difficult if not impossible if the monies received do not match the Minimum Wage. The issue of backdating was also raised, noting that a lump sum paid to a PA could affect means tested benefits such as Universal Credit. Colin, Peter, Harvey and Linda confirmed that the Department and ILF Scotland would give further consideration to this and the timing of the payments.

Linda advised also about the Minister’s agreement to increase the maximum award to £1,000 for Group 1 and £600 for Group 2 Recipients and noted the benefit that this would bring to those Recipients whose awards are at or close to the previous maximum award levels of £815 and £475 respectively. The increase will allow ILF Scotland to incorporate increases to Provider / PA rates that they would not previously have been able to do.

David welcomed Peter Toogood, who was attending in Peter May’s place, in response to our invitation to Peter May to join us, and reiterated our discussion above and expressed our heartfelt thanks to Peter May, Peter himself, Mark McGuicken, Colin Dunlop and everyone else in the Department who worked so hard to support the Independent Living Fund, its Recipients, Award Managers and PAs. Peter expressed his sincere thanks for the invitation and his real pleasure at being with us.

7. Review Visits Update

David invited Robert, Jackie and Liz to speak to this matter. Robert advised the Group that the review visits have been complicated to complete due to the Trusts dealing with the recovery from the pandemic and a social care staffing shortage, which makes it difficult for the Trust to provide a Social
Worker from the Trust to attend reviews. Liz and Jackie stated they will work closely with Recipients and Award Managers to support changes to PA rates, Available Income reduction and the increase to the Maximum Award.

8. Advance Care Planning

David reported that he had met with Emma to discuss Advance Care Planning and asked Emma to elaborate on the matter. Emma advised that the Department of Health has published guidance on the policy for Advanced Care Planning on its website. ILF Scotland will post this on its website and on social media channels and will email to all Group Members.

9. Charter for Involvement

David asked Linda to provide us with an update on the progress of the Charter. Linda advised that staff have made good progress in implementing the Charter actions. Linda will provide an update to the Group and the Board and will publish a revised plan on the website in April 2023. Emma will set meetings to discuss this further with the Group in quarter one of 2023.

10. Public consultation on future of Muckamore Abbey Hospital NI

Emma advised the that the consultation closes on 24 January 2023. The consultation consists of three questions. Members voiced their feelings on the matter and desire to contribute to the consultation. Emma confirmed Lee will send out an invite to a meeting in early January to discuss a submission.

11. Any Other Business

Michaela asked if ILF Scotland could share the links to a training programme for PAs, which she was involved with. Michaela advised there is a landing programme to be launched in February 2023 that ILF Scotland could also share. Lee to discuss with the communication team on how to proceed.

Caroline asked if we could add an agenda point for the next meeting about supporting Award Managers in line with third parties doing the job. David agreed to consider the matter.

12. Next Meeting Arrangements

Tuesday 7 March 2023, 11:00am-3:00pm, The Mount and on Zoom

202212 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - December 2022

Note of Meeting
Independent Living Fund Scotland
ILF Scotland Advisory Group Meeting

Via Zoom
8 December 2022 1-3pm

Present

In Attendance

ILF Scotland Staff

Apologies

List of Actions:

  1. The Advisory Group have asked that Jim send a further letter to the Minister Kevin Stewart in relation to his decision not to reduce the Available Income contributions.
  2. Linda/Lee to send out an email to ask who would like to be part of a working group to discuss and start organizing the Joint Stakeholder Groups meeting in Scotland.

Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

1. Minutes from previous meetings

Andy Higgins asked ILF Scotland for an update on the Available Income decision. Linda advised that at the moment the Scottish Government is not in a position to action this. Linda has agreed to add some detail in the next newsletter about ILF Scotland’s position to apply a waiver in exceptional circumstances.

Lee to pass to communications to team to upload to the website. Completed

Actions from previous meeting

  1. Peter and Linda to discuss writing to agencies about some of their practices of agreeing to contracts and issuing invoices for backdated increases with no prior notice to Recipients/Award Managers.
  2. Lee to add preferred terminology to next agenda i.e. ‘disabled people.’ V ‘people with disabilities’.
  3. Lee to add an ongoing agenda item for the joint stakeholder event.
  4. Lee to keep Planned Registration & Regulation of PAs on agenda for the next meeting.
  5. Robert White to update at next meeting on revised SDS guidance with short presentation.

2. Matters arising

Linda advised the Group that Senior Management have written to all providers before about advising Recipients/Award Managers in advance of any planned increases to hourly rates.

3. Adult Social Care Wage Increase

The next increase is due to be implemented for April 2023.

4. Policy Update

Linda advised that ILF Scotland is discussing the suspension and closure policy with the Sponsor Team. Linda has asked if we can leave accounts in suspension indefinitely so that we have an option to restart the funding. ILF Scotland is taking advice on holding Recipient data for that purpose from the
Information Commissioner’s Office.

5. Joint Stakeholder / Advisory Group Meeting

Linda discussed the successful Stormont event in 2019 and confirmed that ILF Scotland is looking to host a joint event in Edinburgh as requested by both groups. Linda fed back that the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group were very keen for this to happen. It has been suggested that we might hold this in May or June in 2023. Post-meeting note: Due to competing priorities, it is unlikely that staff will have the capacity to organize in that timescale so looking more likely for September/October.

6. Re-opening of the 2015 Fund

Peter advised the group that the Scottish Government is still committed to reopening the 2015 fund but cannot confirm at this stage due to finances.

7. Charter for Involvement

Linda advised that ILF Scotland has progressed a good number of actions in the Charter. An updated version of the action plan will be presented to ILF Scotland’s Board and posted on the website in April. Emma will set up meetings to discuss this further with the group in quarter one of 2023/24.

8. Any Other Business

None.

9. Future meeting dates and arrangements

Thursday 23 February location TBC

202208 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - August 2022

Note of Meeting: Independent Living Fund Scotland:
ILF Scotland Advisory Group Meeting, GCIL and via Zoom, Monday 22 August 2022 1.30-3.30 PM

Present

In Attendance

Apologies

-

List of Actions:

  1. Peter and Linda to discuss agencies agreeing to contracts before recipients releasing funding to stop agency rate increases with notification to the recipient. 
  2. Lee to add preferred terminology to next agenda i.e. ‘disabled people.’ V ‘people with disabilities’. 
  3. Lee to add an ongoing agenda item for the joint stakeholder event. 
  4. Lee to keep Planned Registration & Regulation of PAs on agenda for the next meeting.  

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone agreed to record the meeting. 

3. Minutes from previous meetings

Lee to pass to communications to team to upload to the website. Completed

Actions from previous meeting

  1. Lee to send out Electronic Forms to the group for review and comment once finalised by Ann Cowan. (Awaiting)
  2. Lee to add planned registration and regulation of PAs to next agenda. (Done)
  3. Lee to add Terms of Reference higher up on the next agenda. (Done)

4. Matters arising

No matters arising.

5. Adult Social Care Wage Increase

 The rate was increased by 5.5% in December for all recipients and a further 4.8% at the beginning of the year but only applied to recipients with PAs, reverting back to the previous practice of applying an increase to provider rates on a case by case basis. Linda advised the group that some providers are applying backdated increases for some months. Payroll / Financial Management Agencies have not been informing award managers at all who in turn have not been able to advise ILF Scotland to allow us to change the rates, which is causing arrears. In addition, some providers are asking agencies direct to apply the increase

Nic suggested if might be possible to have a clause in the contract to stop the increase of rates without notifying the recipient in advance. It was agreed that the Award Manager could suggest that when contracting with providers. 

Linda advised that ILF Scotland had written on at least two occasions previously to providers and Peter confirmed that a few were now applying the correct practice. Linda and Peter to discuss further action. 

6. Terms of Reference

Linda distributed the final draft version of the Terms of Reference. 

Nic asked about changing the wording and using of “people with disabilities”. Currently used is “disabled people”. Agreed to put this on the agenda of the next meeting. In the meantime, Terms of Reference draft now signed up for publication. 

7. Policy Update

Linda confirmed to the group that the sustainability payments have largely stopped as planned in June 2022 but that there will still instances where ILF Scotland can make additional payments in some cases, for example, short term replacement care relating to a new outbreak of Covid-19, expenses relating to testing or vaccination or PPE. In addition, recipients should still top up a PA’s wage to the normal level if they are off ill due to a new outbreak of Covid-19 and if there is not enough funding in the ILF Scotland account, then they should contact their caseworker. This is in accordance with the Scotland Social Care Staff Support Fund, which the Scottish Government has extended to 30 September 2022. 

Linda advised the group there are discussions with the Sponsor Team about the possibility of increasing the maximum award that ILF Scotland pay to help meet the demand of rising provider and PA rates due to the current social care staffing crisis. Currently ILF Scotland can exceed this for statutory employer’s costs and meeting the national wage increases.

8. Joint Stakeholder / Advisory group meeting

Linda asked the group how they would feel about having a joint meeting in Scotland. Everyone would welcome this and feel this would help the reopening of the 2015 ILF Scotland fund.

9. Proposed Disability Commissioner Bill

Emma gave the Advisory Group an update on the submitted response drafted by ILF Scotland. Emma advised that there was a mixed opinion on the role being in place. One of the key points raised as a concern is how this role would be monitored and what difference it would make to people on the ground. Emma has included this in the response. The Group agreed that ILF Scotland submit on behalf of the Group as part of their own submission. 

10. ILF Scotland Award Schedule, Contingency Funds, Holidays

Linda referred to previous discussion with the Group about changing the ILF Award schedule to 3 weeks in arrears and 1 week in advance and allowing a further week’s contingency funds.  

Peter advised the group that while we can consider these options, he has some concerns about the making a case for this at a time when the amount of unspent monies we are receiving back is at an unprecedented amount. It was acknowledged that this was mostly due to Covid-19 and agreed that ILF Scotland would look again at this and discuss further with the Group in 6 – 12 months. 

11. Planned Registration and Regulation

Linda and Jim agreed to have this item as an ongoing agenda point for the next meeting. 

12. Financial Hardship Waiver

Linda reminded the group under policy 4, we can waive the full contribution in cases of terminal illness or full or in part due to a financial hardship. Assessors should be discussing financial situations at each review visit and where required, they can make a recommendation to reduce or remove the contribution on a case-by-case basis.  

The Group’s preference is that Scottish Government suspend all contributions for a period of six months to the end of March 2023 due to the cost of living crisis and asked ILF Scotland to prepare a submission requesting this.  Post meeting note: Linda has submitted to the Sponsor Team. 

13. Re-opening of the 2015 Fund

Peter advised the group that the minister Kevin Stewart and his team have reviewed the re-opening of the fund. There is no further update at this stage and Peter advises that the issue seems to be around finance and the longer-term sustainability of the fund if it were to reopen. 

It was agreed that Jim would write to the minister to voice the disappointment that the Minister was unable to agree to the invitation to attend a meeting with the Group.  

14. Hospital Admission

Linda advised the group of the current policy process for payments and hospital admission and highlighted that Award Managers should notify ILF Scotland of hospital stays beyond 28 days and if the recipient will be receiving support from the PA while in hospital, ILF Scotland may be able to sustain the award for a temporary period of time instead of suspending it. 

15. Charter for Involvement

Linda advised the group that staff are working away at all the changes that were recommended by the Stakeholder and Advisory group. Nic will be supporting ILF Scotland progress and prioritise actions. 

16. Any other business

-

17. Future meeting dates and arrangements

Monday 21st November 2022 12:30 – 15:30

202209 - Northern Ireland Advisory Group Minutes - September 2022

Note of Meeting

Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Meeting

Thursday 15 September, 11am – 3pm
The Mount Conference Centre/Zoom.

Permanent Members Present

Affiliate Members Present

ILF Scotland Representatives in Attendance

Department of Health Representatives in Attendance

Permanent Members Apologies

List of Actions:

1. Linda to add item to external newsletter on Emplyee contributions and national insurance as a guide to receipients.

1.    Welcome, Introductions, Apologies and Housekeeping

David welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if everyone was happy for the audio of the meeting to be recorded for minuting purposes. All agreed.

2.    Minutes of previous meeting

The previous meeting’s minutes were approved and will be uploaded to the website. ILF Communications Team to action. 

Actions points from previous meeting: 

  1. Future agenda point for next meeting to be added about Policy 26 and being an Award Manager. (Complete)
  2. Lee to set up a further two meetings on Zoom for the Group to discuss Advanced Care Planning and the Consultation on the Reform of Adult Social Care. (Complete)

3.   Matters arising

David asked Emma to update the Group on ILF Scotland’s thinking on promoting Advanced Care Planning to Recipients and their families. Emma explained that she had discussed the matter with Linda and it was felt that the best course of action would be for ILF Scotland to update information to the website to support this. Following a brief discussion, everyone agreed.

David updated the Group on the Reform of Adult Social Care. He advised that there have been many sessions involving disabled people and family carers on this and that the ILF Scotland Board and the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group had separately submitted responses to the Department of Health. David thanked everyone involved for their commitment and very valuable contributions, adding that much remains to be done by us and others to ensure the Reform delivers positive benefits to Recipients, other disabled people and their families in the immediate and distant future.

4.   Stakeholder Membership

David advised the Group that after attending three meetings, Michaela Hollywood has agreed to become a Permanent Member. David has not managed at this stage to confirm if Robert Dallas wishes, having attended three meetings also, to accept Permanent Membership.

Post meeting note: Robert has confirmed that he does wish to become a Permanent Member.  

5.   Terms of Reference Annual Review

David asked the Group if they wished to make any changes to the document. Everyone was happy with it as it stands.   

6.   Re-opening of the 2015 Fund in Northern Ireland

David asked Colin to update the Group on the current status of re-opening the Fund. Colin advised the Group that he had spoken with the Minister’s Special Advisor before attending the Meeting and the position remains the same as previously, that without a confirmed budget going forward they still could not agree to re-open the Fund in Northern Ireland. Colin emphasised however that the matter remains very much still under active consideration. 

David asked Colin if it would be helpful if the Group sent a letter to the Minister about the re-opening of the Fund. Colin agreed this would be acceptable. David stated he would like to see the consultation happen as soon as possible. Colin suggested David mentions this in the letter to the Minister. 

David agreed with the Group that he would write to the Minister to invite him either to the next scheduled Stakeholder Group Meeting or to a meeting at a date that was suitable to him. (Completed)  

7.   Available Income, Award Manager & COVID-19 Policies

David invited Linda to address this item. Linda advised the Group that ILF Scotland had made a submission to the Sponsor Team requesting that the Recipient Available Income Contribution be reduced from £103.00 per week to £43 per week in Northern Ireland. The submission requests the adoption of a revised policy, which would also allow ILF Scotland discretion to waive the remaining contribution in full in cases of terminal illness or in part or in full because of financial hardship due to exceptional disability related costs. In addition, the submission requests the ability for ILF Scotland to exceed the Maximum Sum in some circumstances related to statutory employment costs and market agency rates. 

Colin advised that the Department of Health has asked him to submit a paper regarding these changes and that he hoped there would be a decision in early October. Colin expects the proposed changes will be warmly received, which may lead to the possibility of a positive outcome to this request.

David suggested that he include a paragraph around these changes in his letter to the Minister, in the hope that he might make them before any visit and that we might be able to thank him in person during it. Colin thought this appropriate. The Group agreed to include it in the letter.

In answer to questions from Members concerning who should manage Awards, Linda advised the Group that ILF Scotland’s preference is that Recipients manage their own Awards if possible. If there are exceptional reasons why this cannot happen then ILF Scotland would agree to a family member, close friend or third party Organisation acting as the Award Manager. For any Recipients who have undergone a capacity assessment and need assistance, ILF Scotland would expect someone with Power of Attorney or Controllership to act as Award Manager.

8.   Employers National Insurance Contributions 

David asked Linda to explain ILF Scotland’s Policy on Recipients’ National Insurance Contributions. Linda advised that ILF Scotland cannot pay

Employee National Insurance Contributions but can contribute to Employer

National Insurance Contributions if the total annual contributions of the

Recipient to HMRC are  more than the Employment Allowance for Class 1

National Insurance, currently of £5,000.00, for each tax year. This was initially £3,000.00, then increased to £4,000.00 and, from 1 April 2022, to £5,000.00. Recipients and Award Managers should contact ILF Scotland in the first instance for advice on this matter. 

It was agreed that Linda would publicise this in our external newsletter to make sure Recipients and Award Managers are aware of this policy.

9.   PA Rates, Recruitment & Retention

David raised the massive impact PA Recruitment and Retention is having on Recipients in Northern Ireland. Members shared their experiences, emphasising that the rate of pay they can offer cannot compete with many domiciliary care companies, employment agencies and even the large supermarkets at the moment.

David suggested that ILF Scotland look to promote the PA role. Professional training for PAs was discussed, potentially by the Trusts, who could provide a certificate of training completed, to enable PAs to add them to their personal training portfolios. Peter recommended that we encourage circulating ILF Scotland information on the employer’s role.

See ILF Scotland Employer Support Information Note.

10.  Review Visits Update

David invited Liz to provide an update on restarting Review Visits. Liz advised the Group that one of the main issues they are coming across routinely during review visits is, as Members have just discussed, a lack of workforce available to support Recipients. This is having a direct impact on families. The Assessor Team is working hard to support where they can. Liz advised that respite is sometimes being offered when care packages cannot be provided by the Trust for critical care but that respite services are rarely available at the moment. Liz advised that the cost of living crisis is a real worry for families just now and will be in the coming months. 

11.  Charter for Involvement and ILF Scotland Meetings

David asked Linda about this Item. Linda advised Members that the Charter for Involvement Action Plan was published in April 2022. Linda noted that the Action Plan needs to be focused on between now and the end of the financial year. Work on this within ILF Scotland has already started and Emma will provide an update at the next meeting. 

12.   Any Other Business

Linda proposed that ILF Scotland arrange a date for a repeat joint Advisory and Stakeholder Group Meeting, this time in Scotland, long delayed due to Covid-19. This will be discussed at future meetings. This would be a 2-day event in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Members agreed wholeheartedly and gave their unanimous approval.

13. Proposed Next Meeting & Arrangements

Tuesday 6th December. 
2023 Dates to be confirmed at next meeting.

202205 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - May 2022

GCIL and via Zoom

Monday 23rd May 2022, 1 - 3 p.m.

Present

In Attendance

Apologies

List of Actions:

  1. Lee to send out Electronic Forms to the group for review and comment once finalised by Ann Cowan.
  2. Lee to add planned registration and regulation of PA’s to next agenda.
  3. Lee to add Terms of Reference higher up on the next agenda.

1. Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if everyone would give permission to record the meeting. Everyone agreed.

2. Minutes from previous meetings

No changes required. Minutes to be uploaded to the website by ILF Comms.

Actions from previous meeting

  1. Lee will email out electronic feedback forms for review when edits have been made for final comments. (Ongoing)
  2. Peter and Linda will discuss the Queens Jubilee payment for PAs with the sponsor team. (Done)
  3. Linda will circulate an amended and final version of the Terms of Reference to the group before the next meeting. (Done)
  4. Linda to share information about Employer NI costs. (Done)

3. Matters arising

No matters arising.

4. Adult Social Care Wage Increase

The new hourly rate is £10.50 from 1 April 2022. ILF Scotland applied a percentage increase across the board of 5.55 on 1 December 2021. From 1 April 2022, it applied 4.8% to PA rates only. It will increase agency rates on a case by case basis as advised by ILF Scotland Award Managers who should provide a copy of the increase letter from the provider.  

5. Proposed Disability Commissioner Bill

An MSP is proposing a Bill to introduce a new Disability Commissioner, which is currently out for consultation. The group agreed they will submit a joint response with ILF Scotland to the proposal. 

Action: Linda to circulate draft.

6. Re-opening of the 2015 Fund

Jim advised the group that he met with Kevin Stewart, the Minister for Health & Mental Wellbeing, and asked him directly about the re-opening of the fund. The response was that Scottish Government is keen to open the fund but have to ensure that is sustainable in the long term.

7. Policy update including Covid-19

Linda updated the group on the Covid-19 Sustainability Payments, which the Scottish Government extended until the end of June. The Scottish Government’s expectation is that normal service should resume where possible from 1 July 2022. However, some aspects of payment flexibility are likely to be extended beyond then relating to testing and vaccination.

The Scottish Government is aware of the difficulties recruiting PAs. Rising hourly rates has put pressure on the ability of ILF Scotland to process awards within the ‘Maximum Sum’ (£475 for Group 2 awards and £815 for Group 1). Discussions are taking place with the Sponsor Team regarding options.  

Linda shared that Policy 26 Managing an ILF Scotland Award has been sent to all parties for review and comment. The revised policy provides clearer guidance relating to the relationship between Award Managers, persons with Guardianship / Power of Attorney and paid Personal Assistants. ILF Scotland will, in due course, prepare an ‘at a glance’ document for Award Managers. 

Linda asked the Group to review the final draft of the document before final submission to the Sponsor Team on 23 June 2022. 

Linda advised the Group that a few Assessors had queried whether Policy 31 Relatives Living with Recipients as a Paid Personal Assistant should be extended to someone with a ‘Close Relationship’ rather than ‘Relatives’. The Group thought it should. Linda to take forward discussion with the Sponsor Team. 

8. ILF Scotland Award Schedule, Contingency Funds, Holidays

Linda advised that we have previously discussed bringing forward a change to payments of the funds with the option of three weeks in arrears and one week in advance to better support recipients to manage income and expenditure. ILF Scotland and the Sponsor Team have requested information on the financial impact of this from ILF Scotland Finance Team.

The Group discussed Employer National Insurance contributions. Employers can claim up to £5,000 back in contributions from HMRC’s Employment Allowance Scheme. ILF Scotland can contribute to this cost if the total annual bill is in excess of this. Linda advised members to send the annual NI bill to ILF Scotland via caseworkers and then they can adjust the system to include these payments as part of the weekly award. Linda advised we need to make sure recipients and staff are fully aware of this. She will arrange staff refresher training and specifically for new ILF Scotland staff members and will include an article in the next newsletter. 

Nic Reid mentioned that you have to apply every year to HMRC if you require that allowance to be added. If you have a payroll company managing the award they will do this for you. 

9. Review Visits

Robert advised that the review visit process has resumed and ILF Scotland has found that the majority of recipients would like an in person visit. The key issue for ILF Scotland is that the Local Authorities have not returned to the pre pandemic amounts of funding and support that they provided. 

10. Electronic Forms Feedback

Linda advised the group that Ann Cowan has almost completed the changes and updates to the forms. Once this is completed, Lee will send these out to the Group for review and comment.

11. Planned Registration and Regulation

Jim advised that following the Feeley report, the Scottish Government are advocating that all PAs be registered and regulated. Jim advised that registration would allow PAs to become more involved with the care industry but that it is not a simple process to implement with possible complications around for example, identifying individual training requirements. 

Andy advised that registration and regulation would be offered on a voluntary basis at the moment. 

12. Hospital Admission

ILF Scotland policy is to suspend awards once a recipient has spent 28 days in hospital. This policy has been set aside during Covid 19. The Group discussed the importance of having PAs support recipients in hospital in some cases. The Group discussed the various Hospital at Home pilots in the last 5 years. This would allow awards to continue as benefits would not be affected.

13. Charter For Involvement 

Linda suggested the group set up additional meetings to look at what is outstanding in the Charter for Involvement Action Plan. She suggested this is maintained as a live document and we have quarterly meetings to update. 

14. Terms of Reference

Andy raised a point from the draft Terms of Reference about the name of the group. Linda clarified that the reason for the name “ILF Scotland Recipient Advisory Group” is that the members are recipients (or representative of recipients, and are advising ILF Scotland - not that the Group is advising ILF Scotland recipients. 

Andy suggested the Group be called Scotland Advisory Group.

The Group agreed this. Linda will amend the final Terms of Reference draft, to be ratified and signed off at the next meeting. 

15. Any other business

None

16. Future meeting dates and arrangements

202202 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - February 2022 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

21 February 2022

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A calendar with the date February 21st 2022
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Easy Read

A calendar with the date February 21st 2022

The meeting happened on Monday 21 February 2022 from 1pm to 3pm.

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The meeting happened on Zoom.

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Who was at this meeting?

Jim Elder-Woodward

Chloe Mckee

Gordon Mckee

Andy Higgins

Kate Walsh

Joan Turner

Hugh John-Glancy

Nic Reid

Peter Scott Lee House

Linda Scott

Emma O’Neill

Robert White

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Who could not come?

Christine Mercer

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4 Actions from this meeting

1. Lee will send out electronic feedback forms.

Queen Elizabeth II 70th Platinum Jubilee image

2. Peter and Linda will talk to the sponsor team about possibly having a public holiday for Personal Assistants, for the Queen’s Jubilee.

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3. Linda will send a new copy of the Terms of Reference to everyone in the group.

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4. Linda will share information about Employer National Insurance costs.

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1. Welcome and Introductions

Jim welcomed everyone.

He asked if everyone was okay with the meeting being recorded. Everyone agreed.

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2. Action from the last Meeting

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Lee will send out Marianne’s Charter for Involvement presentation. This has been done.

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3. Any other things we need to talk about

Linda said she will tell everyone about the award manager sessions later in the meeting.

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4. Scottish Social Care wages going up

Wages mean the money that a worker is paid for doing their job.

Man writing something down, calendar with date December 1st, and a clipboard with an image of money on it

Linda said that the new Social Care wage is 10 pounds and 2 pence an hour.

But the Independent Living Fund Scotland has added 5 and a half percent to all awards from 1 December 2021.

£10 note, 50 pence coin and a calendar with the date |April 1st

The Scottish Social Care new wages will be 10 pounds and 50 pence an hour from 1 April 2022.

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Independent Living Fund Scotland won’t add this pay rise to care provider rates. But it will look at pay rises in the future in each case.

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5. Possibly opening the 2015 Fund again

Linda said that the Minister has asked his team to find out more information from Local Authorities.

This will help to decide about opening the Fund.

Image of a book with 'Policy' on it and a laptop with 'email' on the screen

6. Policy Updates

Policy 26 is called Managing an ILF Scotland Award.

Linda said it will get looked at and changed in 2022. She will send the new copy of Policy 26 to all the group members for their thoughts

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Linda said that COVID-19 payments will probably carry on until June 2022. This means that when Recipients don’t get their normal support, we can pay for support in the meantime.

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Robert White joined the meeting at just after 1.30pm.

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7. Review Visits, Review Reports and Data Protection

Robert said that reviews have started again now.

He said that each review takes 2 or 3 hours.

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Robert said that Recipients don’t have to fill in a form to ask for their copy of the review visit report.

Instead they can ask their Assessor or the team.

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Peter Scott joined the meeting just after 1.45pm.

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8. Feedback about Electronic Forms

Lee will email out the electronic feedback forms for the group to:

  • look at
  • see if there are any changes to be made
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9. Personal Assistants

Linda asked everyone how easy or hard it is to:

  • get new Personal Assistants working
  • keep Personal Assistants without them leaving their role
Image of man on the phone with a laptop with a job searching website on the screen, and a woman below him surrounded by money

The group talked about things like:

  • adverts for Personal Assistant jobs
  • how much pay
  • work hours
Image of document with 'Register' written at the top followed by images of people next to their names

10. Personal Assistants Register

A register is a list of names and details.

Peter said that the Programme Board want Personal Assistants to:

  • be on a register
  • follow the same rules
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But at the moment Personal Assistants are allowed to choose if they want to be on the register or not.

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Peter said it is important that organisations that support disabled people’s rights are happy with changes in the future.

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11. Charter for Involvement

Linda said that a report is being written about how things are going. The report will be sent to the Board. Linda said she will talk about it at the next meeting in May 2022.

Queen Elizabeth II 70th Platinum Jubilee image

12. Queens Jubilee

Personal Assistants might get an extra holiday for the Queens Jubilee. Peter said he and Linda will talk to the Sponsor Team about this. Then Linda will tell the group.

Man raising his hand and a National Insurance numbercard

13. Employers National Insurance

Jim asked why Independent Living Fund Scotland does not pay for Employers National Insurance.

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Linda said that we can pay something towards Employers National Insurance if the year’s cost is over 4 thousand pounds.

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There is information about this on an Employer Support Information Note.

Linda will share this information with the group.

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14. Terms of Reference

Linda said she will talk with Jim about a final draft copy of the Terms of Reference.

After that she will share it with the group.

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15. Any other business

There were 2 questions about sick pay and Personal Assistants payment dates.

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Nic said that her National Insurance payments were not matching her HMRC details.

Emma gave some advice.

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  1. Dates of the next meetings

The next meetings will be on:

  • Monday 23 May 2022
  • Monday 22 August 2022
  • Monday 21 November 2022
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All the meetings will be from 12 noon to 3.00pm.

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This is the end of the Minutes.

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