Direct Payments and Personal Assistants (PAs): Experiences, Issues and the Way Forward

Do you use Direct Payments?  Do you employ a PA? Or do you work with people who do?

If so, this event will be of interest to you.  It will provide an opportunity to hear about some recent research on direct payments, to hear from people using them and to learn about an organisation that runs a well-respected direct payments scheme. As well as Panel presentations there will be ample space for discussion.

It’s to be held from 2 to 4pm on Thursday 23rd November in the Main Hall, Priory St Centre, York, YO1 6ET (see www.priorystcentre.org.uk/ for details of parking, access etc).  Entry is FREE though donations will be welcome. Registration and Drinks from 2; presentations start at 2.15. 

Booking is via eventbrite (click to link) or by phoning 07951 050153. EARLY BOOKING ADVISED! (NOTE: If your organisation is a member of the

Making Research Count programme at the University of York, you should contact your workforce development team to discuss or email spsw-mrc@york.ac.uk).

We intend this to be a fully inclusive event, so let us know if you need us to facilitate any access or other requirements on 07951 050153 or admin@yiln.org.uk

Further details:

Description:

This event will look in depth at direct payments and how people use them to be independent.  It will include Panel presentations on:

• personal experiences of support and management of personal assistants (PAs),
• running a direct payments support scheme in Lancashire through Disability Equality North West, a disabled persons organisation
• current research from the University of York.

There will be ample opportunity for discussion as the purpose of the event is to debate current issues and future possibilities for using direct payments in York and elsewhere.

The event is hosted by York Independent Living Network, York: Human Rights City and Making Research Count York.

Panel members:

Chris Edmundson (YILN Trustee), Abi Bubb (YILN Trustee & Direct Payment Advisor) and other disabled people from the York area who currently use direct payments and employ PAs.

Mel Close, Disability Equality North West, who run a successful Direct Payments scheme in Lancashire.

Dr Katie Graham, Lecturer in Social Work, University of York, speaking about her research into workplace personal assistance for people with physical impairments, the roles of workplace PAs and their relationships with disabled people and colleagues.  The project aims to further understand these roles and develop a useful resource for disabled people who have PAs at work, the PAs themselves and employers to increase the accessibility of the workplace.

https://www.york.ac.uk/spru/projects/workplace-pa/

Who is it for?

The event will be of interest to disabled people, family carers and their allies, organisations, family members, employers, statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations. Making Research Count (University of York) has a limited number of places available to staff from organisations who are members of the MRC programme. Please get in touch with your workforce development team to discuss. Any problems, please email spsw-mrc@york.ac.uk and we will try to help.

What does it cost?

The event is free but donations are welcome.

Need more information or want to make a booking?

info@yorkhumanrights.org or phone 07951 050153