Coronavirus (Covid-19) update

Information for people who use Direct Payments and their Personal Care Assistants (PAs).

COVID-19 vaccinations

We have identified that Personal Assistants (PA's) are able to get the COVID-19 vaccination. This is in line with the definition Priority Group 2, frontline health and social care workers.

PA's are employed by people who use direct payments. Direct payments is funding from the council given to someone to arrange their own care and support. To get direct payments, you have to have an assessment.

Find out how to get a direct payment. 

The Sussex Health and Care Partnership has more information about the vaccination programme and the priority groups for the vaccine.

Brighton and Hove City Council, People Plus and Possibility People, will contact everyone that uses direct payments. They will let them know that their PA's are able to get the vaccination and how they get an appointment.

If you are the PA and you need a letter to confirm the person you work for gets direct payments, you need to contact one of the services below.

You will receive a letter from Brighton & Hove City Council, with the name of the PA, not the direct payment user. It will also confirm that the PA is in the Priority Group 2.

This letter will be a PDF. Y can print or view it from a mobile phone or tablet at the vaccination appointment.

Contact

Brighton & Hove City Council Direct Payments Team:

People Plus:

Possibility People:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The council has provided PPE for PAs free of charge throughout the corona virus pandemic. The council is committed to maintaining the PPE Hub and ensuring PPE is available for PAs. If you need to access PPEyou can request it here.

Request PPE

Read the latest government information about when to wear PPE. This information is updated regularly.

Work related issues including furlough

If you have employment queries regarding PAs at work during Covid-19 then it is recommended to use the Legal Advice available as part of your employers liability insurance policy with Mark Bates Ltd t/a Premier Care. The council funds insurance for everyone who employs a PA and the Legal Advice is free for all policyholders.

If you need advice or support on your legal responsibilities of being an employer phone 0161 603 2167 or email: premiercare@msl.co.uk 

You should not stop paying your PA without taking legal advice. 

Testing

PAs are providers of direct care and are entitled to be tested for Covid-19 as essential workers. The government website is updated regularly with information about getting tested.

Annual Flu programme

The Government has announced that free flu vaccinations would be made available to all health and social care staff and people who provide paid care in the community. This includes PAs, who have been deemed key frontline workers, and as such, are eligible to receive a free flu vaccination. Official guidance on this will be published shortly. 

Direct Payment Advice and Guidance

The council has commissioned an advice and guidance service with PeoplePlus. For any general questions please contact the Independent Living Service for Brighton and Hove on 03301232815 or ilsbrightonandhove@peopleplus.co.uk 

Payroll or Supported Bank Account Queries

For any PA Payroll queries please contact Possability People on 01273 89 40 60 or payroll@possabilitypeople.org.uk. 

Queries regarding your Direct Payments funding (adults)

Please contact the Adult Social Care Direct Payments team on 01273 29 44 04 or asc.directpayments@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Queries regarding your child’s Direct Payments funding

Please contact the Children’s Disability Service on 01273 295550 or Childrens.DirectPayments@brigthton-hove.gov.uk

Urgent queries regarding care 

Please contact Access Point at 01273 295 555 or accesspoint@brighton-hove.gov.uk. 

Queries concerning your assessed financial contribution

Please contact the Income Team on 01273 29 56 00 or asc.nonresidential@brighton-hove.gov.uk 

Skills for Care

Skills for Care is the adult social care sector’s leading source of workforce intelligence. They offer a useful Information Hub for individual employers and PAs on Covid-19.