Expansion of free personal care
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman visited the Capability Scotland Edinburgh Hub ahead of the extension of free personal care to people of all ages who are assessed as requiring it.
The expansion of free personal care – which was previously only available to those aged over 65 – comes into force on April 1 2019 and is often referred to as ‘Frank’s Law’ after the former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel. Frank was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 59 and sadly died six years later in 2014.
The expansion means that anyone who is assessed by their local authority as requiring personal care will receive it free of charge, regardless of their age, condition, capital or income.
The First Minister met with staff at the centre and spoke with some of the people attending the hub who may benefit from the change in the law now or in the future.
She said:
“I’m very pleased that this legislation is now coming into effect, ensuring that all those who require personal care are able to access it free of charge, regardless of their age, condition or income.
“This change will help thousands of people across Scotland receive the support that they are entitled to without being impacted financially.
“I’d like to thank Amanda Kopel, Frank’s widow, for her tireless work bringing to public light the issues of personal care for under 65s. She has ensured this remained prominent in the public’s mind and she should feel very proud that it is now being delivered.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:
“We’ve made the necessary changes to the law, and issued clear guidance to local authorities, to clearly set out the expansion of free personal care. For the first time everyone under the aged of 65 who is assessed as requiring personal care will receive it for free.
“To ensure this is delivered we’ve backed this with £30 million of new funding to local authorities across Scotland. This is a step change in the provision in personal care in Scotland and we’ll continue to work with our colleagues in councils to ensure it is delivered in full.”
Background
The Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2018 comes into effect on April 1.
From then people can no longer be charged for personal care services they are assessed as requiring. Personal care includes areas such as; support with personal hygiene, issues with mobility, food preparation and support at mealtimes, and assistance with dressing or getting in or out of bed.
Social care services may be chargeable, such as help with housework, laundry, shopping and services outside the home, such as day care centres.
Midlothian Disabled People’s Assembly
You are warmly invited to join us for coffee, pastries and lunch to celebrate the launch of the Midlothian Disabled People’s Assembly 2019.
Join us and pick up your free copy of the invaluable new version of Forward Mid’s acclaimed Directory for Disabled People 2019
When – Wednesday 27th March 2019
11.30am – 1.00pm
Where – St John’s and King Park Church, Dalkeith (across from Morrisons)
Hear about a range of disabled people’s services and new initiatives and how you can help improve the lives of Disabled People in Midlothian.
Guest Speakers, Local Councillors and information stalls from voluntary & 3rd sector organisations.
We hope you see you there!
If you have problems with transport contact us and we’ll try to help.
Learn about local services. Connect with others. Have Good conversations. Have your voice heard.
The Directory is produced by Forward Mid as a one-stop source of accurate, supportive, empowering particularly for Disabled People across Midlothian and the carers and professionals who support them.
For more information phone Eric at 0131-663-9471
Mike Oliver, pioneer of ‘revolutionary’ social model of disability, dies
Dr Mike Oliver is best known for affirming that removing the disabling barriers that limit and oppress people with impairments is a social – not an individual – responsibility. Please read the report in the link below.
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Inclusion Scotland Disabled Leadership Network
Inclusion Scotland is hoping to build a ‘disabled leadership network’. This will be a network comprising of disabled people who want to become stronger leaders, within their community, workplace, education setting, or within politics and activism.
Our hope is to facilitate a platform where disabled people can develop their leadership skills and gain the confidence to lead in areas where they would like to see change.
We want this network to be shaped by disabled people’s voices and opinions. Please help inform the network by filling in this short survey and sharing it amongst your members: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/85YBKSC
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Scottish Government Job Grant Consultation
The Scottish Government is consulting on its key eligibility criteria and format of the Job Grant, a new benefit which will be delivered by Social Security Scotland to support young people moving back into employment. The grant will be paid to 16-24 year olds (up to 26 years old for care leavers) who have been out of paid employment for 6 months or more and who have been in receipt of a qualifying benefit specified by the Scottish Government.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the key eligibility criteria and our proposal for the format of the payment for the Job Grant. We also want to identify any unintended consequences of our proposals.
They are keen to gather views, particularly from young people aged 16-24 (up to 26 years for care leavers) and those of people who represent these age groups.
You can find the consultation via the link below: https://consult.gov.scot/social-security/job-grant-eligibility-criteria-consultation/ and the consultation will remain open until 9 April.
New transitions resource from Contact
Contact is delighted to announce that our new transitions resource for parents and carers is now live!
You can find the new site here: www.talkingabouttomorrow.org.uk. If you’d like to tweet about it, the hashtag is #TalkingAboutTomorrow.
The site was created in partnership with parents across Scotland to bring together the information families tell us they need.
Contact worked closely with Lead Scotland and Edinburgh solicitors Gillespie Macandrew to run workshops, development sessions and focus groups involving more than 200 families during a 2-year project supported by the Scottish Government through a CYPFEIF and ALEC Fund grant.
ILF Scotland Transition Fund
Are you aged 16-21, and living with a disability in Scotland? You could be eligible for up to £7,500 in funding, for 1 year, from the Transition Fund! We can support you to try new activities and experiences that will enhance your independence, confidence and help you to spend more time with other people.
For more information click on the link:
Is Scotland Fairer Report
The report looks at progress towards greater fairness and equality in Scotland since 2015 across 6 “domains” – education, health, justice, participation, work, and living standards.
The report shows that there has been some progress in making Scotland fairer over the past three years. However, serious challenges still remain, with some groups in danger of being forgotten or left behind from the progress that is being enjoyed by the rest of society. Our evidence shines a light on society’s biggest equality and human rights challenges for the years ahead and our recommendations identify what actions need to be taken to ensure everyone has a fair chance in life.
Is Scotland Fairer? 2018 provides a robust and rich evidence base which can be used to inform programmes of work in order to improve equality and human rights outcomes.
The full report is available to view by clicking on the link Is Scotland Fairer Report.