Dear Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland),

According to directive HSS (ECCU)1/2007 issued by the DHSSPS- paragraphs 6 and 8 state as follows-

6) “It is important that Trusts ensure that Personal Assistants have access to relevant supports, including requisite training....this is analogous to the support already provided by many trusts to informal carers, foster parents and adult placement carers to ensure sustainable, safe, high quality care.”

8) “In supporting service users to directly arrange their own care provision- the Trust has a responsibility to ensure the service user is aware of
*the skills, competences and standards of care required to support users’ assessed needs
*recommended minimum training/qualifications to assure safe appropriate care
*information on access to relevant training for employed personal assistants- to assist them to develop the required skills...
*implications for health and safety of service user, and personal assistant- if relevant requirements and standards of care are not met.”

Please advise -
a) What procedures has the WHSCT put in place to ensure that personal assistants have access to relevant support and training?

Please provide-
b) What written information has the Trust published to ensure that employers are aware of the information described in paragraph 8?

Yours faithfully,
Joan Corrigan