Introduction to LCIL Services

On these pages you can find descriptions of the various services that LCIL operates.

1. Independent Living Service

The Independent Living Team under the direction of the Independent Living Co-ordinator, assists individual disabled people to set up and maintain flexible Independent Living Schemes.

The team supports access to Direct Payments and Independent Living Funds and through its training programme promotes good practice amongst Personal Assistant Employers. The Training programme also includes training on the Social Model of Disability for Personal Assistants. All training sessions pertaining to Independent Living and personal development are delivered by Disabled Trainers.

2. Payroll Service

The Payroll service currently provides a comprehensive, computerised payroll service for an average of 75 Personal Assistant Employers who are employing up to 200 Personal Assistants per month. Personal Assistant Employers figure is increasing steadily at the rate of 1 per month. The number of PAs employed fluctuates on a monthly basis.

3. Peer Counselling Service

The Peer Counselling Service has been awarded funding from the Scottish Executive to develop and run a national telephone counselling service for disabled people across Scotland. The service became active in January 2008.

The service is staffed by professionally qualified disabled volunteer counsellors.  These people have previously trained to Diploma standard in counselling through LCIL.  LCIL's experience, and past research, has shown that disabled people particularly value the opportunity to work with another disabled person as their counsellor. 

4. Personal Assistant Job Opportunities

The Independent Living Service supports disabled people to employ their own staff. Current vacancies can be found here.

5. Training Opportunities

The Training Service provides courses and workshops for potential and existing personal assistant employers. Training is also available to potential personal assistants. More information on the range of training opportunities available can be found within the training section.

LCIL can also offer Disability Equality and Direct Payments training to external organisations on request.

6. Grapevine Disability Information Service

The Grapevine, Lothian Disability Information Service provides free, confidential information to disabled people, their supporters and any organisation or individual looking for disability related information in Edinburgh, East Lothian or Midlothian. 

Grapevine provides information and advice on a wide range of issues including: Disability Benefits, Financial Assistance, Accessible Transport, Aids and Equipment, Access Issues, Community Care and Direct Payments, Housing and Adaptations, Holidays and Leisure, Education and Employment and rights under the Disability Discrimination Act.   For more information on the Grapevine Service and how to contact us, click on the link for the Grapevine pages on the left.