At today’s daily COVID-19 briefing, the Scottish Government announced a new “Social Care Staff Support Fund” to help anyone working in social care who may be financially affected should they be required to self-isolate.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that this scheme is available to Personal Assistants (PA’s), you can read more about the Scheme and how to apply below:

“Social care staff support fund

Social care staff working in care homes, care at home, and housing support, including personal assistants, should be paid their expected income when ill of self-isolating as a result of COVID-19.

Employers should pay eligible staff their expected income. They can then claim any additional costs they incur through the Fund from the relevant commissioning Local authority or Integration Authority.

The Fund is aimed at social care workers who may be expected to self-isolate on more than one occasion due to the nature their work, or the work environment – for example, carrying out personal care. The purpose of the fund is to support infection prevention control and prevent financial hardship.  The Fund became operational on 24 June, backdated to 23 March.

Information about the Fund, including the groups of social care workers who are eligible, the Fund criteria, and how employers can apply for reimbursement, is available here.”