Independent Living Services – COVID19 Update

For PA’ Covid-19 Vaccination information

 

(January 2021 update).

As personal assistants for direct payment employers are considered key workers, we are working with local authorities to ensure that PAs do not miss out on the opportunity of accessing the Covid-19 vaccine.

If you are a direct payment employer, please discuss the option with your PA(s) and direct them to this website. PAs can then opt in to the vaccination programme by completing a consent form (accessed by clicking here) and returning it via e-mail to ilscentral@peopleplus.co.uk

This will then be passed to the local authority to process. Please note that PeoplePlus is not involved in the delivery of the vaccine; therefore we will be unable to provide updates on progress or availability.

Some local authorities have already requested contact information for PAs that PeoplePlus hold as part of our payroll service. We are able to share this data with local authorities under the following conditions of GDPR legislation:

6(1)(e) Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller

9(2)(h) Processing is necessary for the purposes of the provision of health or social care or treatment

9(2)(i) Processing is necessary for reasons of public interest in the area of public health, such as protecting against serious cross-border threats to health.

Sharing of this information has been done to comply with the above regulations to enable the rapid roll out this vaccination programme however, should your PA not be happy with their information being shared please could they contact DPO@peopleplus.co.uk , so we can inform their Local Authority.

 

 

Important Covid-19 news (October 2020) – to ensure that you remain up to date with all the latest guidance around staying safe and well during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have put together some important links from trusted sources. These links will take you to pages which will provide the most recent guidelines around the Coronavirus response. Should you have any specific questions, please contact your local team who will be happy to help.

Government guidance around restrictions can be found at this government website.

Government guidance specifically for recipients of direct payments can be found at this government website

Information about flu jabs for personal assistants in England can be found here (Skills for Care website). A formal HMRC-Personal Assistant Letter of Entitlement can be found in the boxes below.

Information about flu jabs for personal assistants in Wales can be found here (Public Health Wales website)

Good employer advice and guidance has been provided by ACAS and can be accessed at this website.

PeoplePlus Independent Living Services (ILS) support 10,000 people across England and Wales with their direct payment and personal health budgets. Our aim is to enable people to live independently in their own homes and communities. It is essential this support continues for those who use agencies, are employers or personal assistants during this difficult time.

We have produced a number of information sheets to give you the most up to date information around how COVID19 might affect you and/or your personal assistants. There are also key worker letters to enable your personal assistant to get to work. These are all available at the link below this box.

There are also key worker letters to enable your personal assistant to get to work and critical information regarding Covid-19 testing for personal assistants. These are all available at the links below. You can also access frequently asked questions related to Covid-19 for direct payment employers and personal assistants at the Skills for Care website Here.

Our new, upgraded telephone system is fully operational and our team are ready to take your call. You can also contact us via e-mail. Please click here to find the specific e-mail address for your area.