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Cornwall Council Press Release

Call out for Social Care PAs to Access Free Training

Personal Assistants (PAs) in Cornwall are being encouraged to take up free training to support them in their role which is to help people with care and support needs in Cornwall to live independently.

The training is being delivered by 5 Degrees West, a training partnership between disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly and Seahorse Associates, who, supported by Cornwall Council, were able to apply for money from Skills for Care, a national organisation who provides support, funding and advice for employers and employees in the care sector.

This vital training will help to give PAs the skills and confidence to support their employers (the people they care for) and includes training in food hygiene, Huntington’s disease, ageing with autism, spinal injury care and much more.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for adults, Rob Rotchell said: “Personal Assistants, or PA’s, are employed directly by the person they are caring for with their personal budget and this can allow people to have more choice and control over the care they receive.

“I’d urge anyone to take up this offer to update their skills as it’s very important that people with care and support needs in Cornwall receive the very best care they can get, while also giving the care workforce in Cornwall the best skills possible.”

The training is delivered in venues in Bodmin and Hayle, with dates available from now until January 2020. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

People who employ PAs can also access training around employment law that covers employer’s legal obligations and statutory employment rights.

You can find out more about the training and book a place by contacting 5 Degrees West by email info@5degreeswest.org.uk or by calling on 01736 751920.

If you’re interested in becoming a PA or any other job in the care sector in Cornwall then you can visit the Proud to Care Cornwall website www.proudtocare.org.uk  

More information on personal budgets and employing a PA can be found on the Skills for Care website www.skillsforcare.org.uk/

This initiative supports Cornwall Council’s priority to protect and improve the lives of vulnerable adults in Cornwall. (17th July 2019)