Contact SPAEN

The Scottish Social Services Council have just produced a series of new leaflets to support Personal Assistants and their employers.

The SSSC produced the leaflets after having commissioned the Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN) to conduct research into the realities of being a PA employer.

You can read the full article and download the resource leaflets here.  http://ssscnews.uk.com/2016/05/10/new-resources-for-personal-assistants-and-their-employers/

The Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN) has appointed a new Chair to strengthen the social care support provided by the leading Scottish charity.

Last year SPAEN combined with well-known Aberdeen based charity iConnect North East to strengthen its operation in that region.

Alan Fowler will take up the role on 28 February 2018, replacing Mrs Laura Forbes.

Mr Fowler, currently chairman of Isochron Limited, brings with him a wide range of specialist knowledge and practical experience in driving cultural and system changes. He formerly worked for the Scottish Office and has carried out strategic work with several UK Government departments.

An experienced public speaker, his skills and experience encompass teaching, change management, structured analysis, programme management, procurement and policy. His insights into business have led to practical techniques to accelerate and achieve change.

Welcoming the new Chair to the role Colin Millar, SPAEN Chief Executive, said he was delighted by the appointment as Mr Fowler had been working with the charity in a consulting capacity for some time and his experience and passion for driving change in social care had been insightful and energising. 

He added: “Both SPAEN and I are lucky to have someone of Alan’s experience and ability leading us at this important time in the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Self-Directed Support strategy and our work in relation to empowering individuals and families to exercise greater choice and control over how they become full, active citizens enabled by social care”

Mr Fowler said he was very excited and enthused by the thinking and work underway at SPAEN.

He added: “Social care and its intrinsic role in reducing the pressure our NHS is under cannot be understated. Social care support will be an important part of the lives of the majority of people in Scotland at some stage and if I and my past experience can make that a positive and empowering experience, then I’ll be honoured to play a part.”

HISTORY: SPAEN aims to offer a range of supports and services to Self-Directed Support (SDS) users across Scotland, ranging from HR and employment related advice and guidance for PA employers to Managed Account Services and Support Planning for Option 2 recipients.

Option 1 of the SDS Act allows for the individual (or the person with Power of Attorney / Guardianship or parental responsibility for the person with assessed support needs) to secure the provision of their own support This is done through the individual using the money to employ their own Personal Assistant (PA); for “creative purchases” or purchasing support from an organisation or organisations of your choosing.

Option 2 of the SDS Act allows the local authority to identify an “individual budget” to meet your assessed needs and personal outcomes. These monies can be held and administered on your behalf by the local authority; a care provider agency or a third party and the monies should be used in accordance with your wishes. An Individual Service Fund or ISF means that you know how much money you have available to make arrangements to meet your assessed needs and personal outcomes and you should be fully involved in discussing both how your needs and outcomes are met and how the monies are used.

For further information or assistance contact David Sinclair, SPAEN Communications Manager, on 07803 970320or at davidsinclair65@sky.com

This BBC News report details the increase in injuries caused by slips and falls in Aberdeen during the recent icy weather – so take extra care over the winter period.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42394597

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen paid a visit to local charity iConnect North East to mark its successful merger with SPAEN. iConnect North East provides support to individuals and families through their care journey. They also do preventative work with people to keep them connected to their local communities, thus meaning they do not always need statutory support.

During the visit on December 14 Councillor Barney Crockett who is current Lord Provost of Aberdeen met individuals supported by iConnect North East from its offices at 491 Union Street.

Aberdeen City Council provided financial support to the local charity in its early years and is now a key working partner.

The charity merged with the Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN) earlier this year and now has a Scotland-wide role in the field of providing self-directed support.

Colin Millar, Chief Executive of SPAEN, said: “I admire the dedication, commitment and professionalism that iConnect North East has brought to literally hundreds of residents of Aberdeen City. As a national organisation and one of the Scottish Government’s strategic partners in the delivery of self-directed support, SPAEN’s merger with iConnect North East means that we can now take that expertise and a tried, tested and highly successful model and look to replicate it across Scotland in conjunction with the government and local authority councils.”

He added: “This year’s merger allows us to continue the roll-out of self-directed support for the benefit of individuals and with the support of the community and the great relationship which exists with the city council is one we want to replicate across the country.”

Liv Cockburn, Director of iConnect, said: “The City Council is a key partner with us and we are delighted that the Lord Provost came to meet our team and the people we all work to support.”

Paul Gray, Chief Executive of NHSScotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, presents his Chief Executive’s Annual Report. He outlines the achievements made during 2016/17, and describes the challenging context in which NHSScotland continues to operate. Anyone wishing to find out more about how the NHS Integrated Care system has been doing over the past year particularly in regards to Self-Directed Support can see the full report here: https://www.nhsscotannualreport.com//