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New SDS Statutory Guidance published

  The Scottish Government have published updated Statutory Guidance which describes how Local Authorities should implement social care support. The first guidance to support the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 was published in 2014. This new guidance has been developed by Scottish Government with contributions from a joint working group of key partner […]

PVG fees waived for social care workers until March 2023

  As part of its plan to support health and social care this winter, the Scottish Government has announced it will cover the costs of PVG checks for social care workers until March 2023. The temporary scheme also applies to Personal Assistants directly paid by their employer (who receives their funding via self-directed support option […]

Personal Assistant Newsletter September 2022

Download this PA Programme Newsletter – September 2022 Editor’s welcome Donald Macleod, Chief Executive, SDSS This is the third newsletter specifically for Personal Assistants to let you know about the exciting work and progress that has been made by the PA Programme Board with the essential contribution from you, the PA workforce.   This edition brings […]

New faces at SDS Scotland

SDS Scotland has recently welcomed two new faces to the team! Kayleigh Hirst has joined us as our new Communications Manager, while Julia Lawrence has been appointed Information Officer.  Kayleigh has a background in communications and engagement in the third sector, having previously worked with ENABLE Scotland, the Mental Health Foundation and most recently, St […]

Report is out: First Annual Personal Assistant Workforce Survey

Thank you to everyone who responded to the first annual Personal Assistant (PA) survey. The online survey, responded to by 912 people across every Scottish local authority area which was an amazing outcome in itself, was created to help inform workforce recruitment campaigns and PA development approaches needed to support PAs in Scotland. This first […]

Personal Assistant Newsletter June 2022

Download this PA Programme Newsletter – June 2022 Editor’s welcome Donald Macleod, Chief Executive, SDSS This is the second of a series of newsletters to let you know about the exciting work that is going on in relation to your roles as Personal Assistants. This work is being led by a Scottish Government board, the […]

Personal Assistant Newsletter March 2022

Download The Personal Assistant Newsletter March 2022 Editor’s welcome Donald Macleod, Chief Executive, SDSS This is the first of a series of newsletters to let you know about some exciting work that is going on in relation to your roles as Personal Assistants. This work is being led by a Scottish Government board, the PA Programme […]

Minister Letter: PA Programme Board Actions

A letter from the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart MSP outlining PA Programme Board actions went out today to the 5,000 strong cohort of Personal Assistants who received a thank you payment for services during pandemic lockdown.   The Letter The letter which you can read here introduces the work of […]

New listing for Personal Assistants Jobs across Scotland

A new opportunity to advertise PA roles across Scotland My Job Scotland have now created a listing for Personal Assistant jobs across Scotland that are being advertised by local organisations. If you are a group or organisation that advertises PA roles in your area, you can ask to have your details added to the My […]

Protecting the Rights of Disabled People in Ukraine

The Scottish Independent Living Coalition (SILC) highlights the needs of disabled people in Ukraine There are approximately 3 million disabled people in Ukraine. Reports are highlighting that disabled people are finding it difficult to access a safe means of evacuation and shelter. To ensure that disabled people in Ukraine are protected, SILC believes that all […]