Independent Living Service
What we do
Our Independent Living Service provides advice, information and support on all aspects of Self-Directed Support .
Our Independent Living Officers:
• Enable disabled people who choose to self-direct their own care to live independently.
• Support and inform disabled people enabling them to explore which Self-Directed Support option(s) are best for them by assisting them to understand the nature and effect of the four options.
• Support disabled people to understand and manage their rights and responsibilities as an employer and adhere to employment legislation.
We also provide a Recruitment Support Service, where Independent Living Officers:
• Help with writing person specifications and job descriptions.
• Help with the wording and placing of adverts for the recruitment of a Personal Assistant.
• Assist the supported person with the interview process and techniques for interviewing.
• Support with drawing up contracts of employment.
• Provide up-to-date information on employment legislation and the legislative requirement and responsibilities of being an employer.
• Support disabled people who employ Personal Assistant(s) if their circumstances change.
• Assist with working out how much to pay staff when calculating any changes relating to holiday entitlement, rates of pay, for example.
• Provide advice in relation to insurance and pension auto enrolment.
• Liaise with and signpost to other specialist services e.g. a Payroll Service.
• Provide safeguarding advice.
We can support disabled people who receive funding from Independent Living Fund Scotland, funding from other sources and disabled people who privately fund their care.
The Independent Living Team works closely with other LCiL services and can refer you onto our Disability Advice and Information Service or Peer Support and Learning team.
Our Independent Living Service also works in partnership with VOCAL to deliver a Support in the Right Direction funded service, supporting carers and supported people at all stages of their social care journey in Edinburgh and Midlothian. As part of this work, our Employment Support Officer supports carers and the cared for person to become employers, providing practical support and training to help them build their knowledge and confidence in this role.
How to get support from the Independent Living Service
Disabled people living in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian or West Lothian, can contact us directly or can be referred by a social worker or another organisation. Find out more on our Resources and useful links page.
Our team
• Service Manager: Advice and Information Services – vacant
• Independent Living Officer – Christele Gueffroy
• Independent Living Officer – Gemma Innes
• Independent Living Officer – William Neil
• Independent Living Officer – Saima Snellman
• Employment Support Officer – vacant
Contact us
We’re here and happy to help!
Please contact us on 0131 475 2350, Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm. You can leave a voicemail outwith these hours or email: ILS@lothiancil.org.uk
Service UserWe thought we are never going to be able to understand the process and become a Personal Assistant employer. We are very grateful and thank you for your expertise, patience and language support to guide us throughout the process.
Independent Living Team service user
LCiL is grateful to the support of the City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council and East Lothian Council – the main funders of this service.
