Safeguarding

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Safeguarding
Something else not to let go of!
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How I Safeguard my family and myself.

• I live with my wife and my two children. We also
  have three cats and one dog. We live in a purpose
  built house and my wife Cathy is my main carer.
• I have a IB (individual budget) and with this I
  employ 2-3 PAs that assist me with my every day
  life.
• Some of the duties are personal care, handling
  money, shopping, assisting me with being a active
  father to my two children, also looking after the
  family pets.
• I feel that safeguarding my family and myself is
  a huge responsibility that I am more than
  prepared to take on, as I feel I should be in
  control of everything as an employer.

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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding

• Some of the things I have to think of in relation
  to safeguarding are
• My safety
• My families safety
• Trusting P.A.s with financial matters and
  handling money
• Confidentiality
• Respect
• Dignity
• Risk management (my carer's safety)

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A P.A. needs to respect my dignity
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Interviewing

• Recruiting a new PA is one of my biggest
  safeguarding issues. Interviewing will always be
  a risk, but one I am willing to take.
• Compass deals with the advertising, the sending
  and receiving of the application forms, therefore
  only the shortlisted applicants will know my home
  address. I then take on the whole responsibility
  of employing a new PA.
• I ask a current PA to ring and invite the
  shortlisted applicants to my home for an
  interview. (I choose and feel comfortable doing
  the interview in my own home with my wife beside
  me, as it gives the interviewee a glance of my
  family life and the work environment.)

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Phoning applicants
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The Interview Process

• I prepare a list of questions that will help me
  envisage the character of the person. I try not
  to have any yes/no questions to get the candidate
  to speak openly about themselves.
• I always answer the door, as the initial greeting
  is usually an indication as to whether they are a
  suitable candidate.
• I have a set interview plan which I follow, so
  everybody has the same interview.
• I score each person immediately after they leave
  in 10 Categories (marking out of 100) i.e.
  Understanding me, Suitability, Eye Contact and
  experience.

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2nd Interview

• Usually there are a few people that stand out, I
  then ask them back for a 2nd interview, which
  consists of them escorting me out on my own
  (pushing my wheelchair) and talking in a relaxed
  atmosphere. 
• I know it is a risk asking a interviewee to take
  you out, but I feel its a important gamble to
  take, as the person you pick you have to build up
  a trust with.
• I feel I need to see how they are out and about
  with me. Do I feel secure/are they trustworthy,
  how they handle my money, do they listen to me,
  are they comfortable with me?

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2nd interview stage
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References and CRB Checks

• I always take up references and always get
  Compass to help with the CRB check. However I
  think Im a pretty good judge of character, so if
  theyve just had a CRB check, or been a carer
  before, I let them start before the CRB check
  comes back, as quite often it can take months.
• Fortunately in my 16 years of employing PAs Ive
  only had 7 Pas, 3 of which are still working for
  me. I am always aware that employing a new PA is
  a huge risk until you find the bond of trust, so
  in the first few weeks my wife or another PA are
  always about incase any difficulties arise

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Out with the family
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Safeguarding Everyone

• I also need to be certain that the PA fits into
  all aspects of my life. I need to trust them to
  do personal care as well as assist me with taking
  my children and me out. I need to be sure of
  confidentiality and respect.
• I have to be sure that my children, my pets and
  my wife are safe at all times. I need to show
  them how electrical items work, safe handling of
  equipment etc.
• I have to consider my PAs safety as well, and
  that they feel secure and not at all vulnerable
  in the work place i.e. that I dont ever put them
  in a situation they aren't comfortable with.

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P.A.s walkies
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Feeling Vulnerable

• Ive always been confident employing PAs and
  sorting out any problems that may arise, I know I
  have the back up and added security of my family.
• I can see why people feel they need some kind of
  back up to help with difficult situations, which
  is something which needs a definite resolution so
  there is someone that can come and help whenever
  needed.
• If I have to confront a issue, I will wait until
  Im not in a vulnerable position (e.g. the
  bath/lift) to address the problem. I remain
  composed and in control of the situation
  (although inside I hate confrontation) and we
  discuss the problem together.

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Nows not the time!
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Handling My Money

• As Im unable to physically handle my money I
  have to rely on my PAs entirely. I have a
  method which I follow
• When a new PA starts I always make sure I have
  cash in my wallet for the first month.
• After this I do tell them my pin numbers for my
  cards. I know this is risky but I have a trust
  with my Pas, but I have internet banking which I
  check everyday. As well as this I record every
  penny I spend on my computer.
• Ive never had any issues with PAs handling my
  money, I think they know Im in complete control
  of my familys finances.

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A PA is in a position of trust
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In Conclusion

• I have been employing PAs through Direct payments
  for many years, and I appreciate that I have been
  extremely lucky in employing PAs that fit in
  well.
• Over the years I have never felt vulnerable, and
  haven't had major problems to deal with.
• I believe it works both ways, treat your PAs as
  you would like to be treated yourself, you get
  what you give.

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You dont want to end up stranded!