• National Minimum Wage
• Incapacity Benefit and Income Support to be Replaced
• ILF User Groups
• Employment Campaign for People with Learning Difficulties
• Staffordshire Training News
• Art for Autism
• Endurance TV
• One In Four Magazine
• Westminster Abbey Touch Tour
• Paralympics 2008
• Who's who at The Rowan?
• Readers Write
• Film Review
• Membership of the Rowan Organisation

National Minimum Wage

From the 1st of October 2008, the National Minimum Wage will increase. If you employ personal assistants or carers you will need to ensure that you are paying them at least the new minimum rate of pay from this date.

There are different rates of pay for different groups of people:

• The rate of pay for workers aged 22 and over will increase from £5.52 per hour to £5.73 per hour.
• The rate for workers aged 18 - 21 will increase from £4.60 per hour to £4.77 per hour.
• The rate for workers aged 16 - 17 will increase from £3.40 per hour to £3.53 per hour.
• For service users who provide accommodation, the offset rate will increase from £4.30 per day (£30.10 per week) to £4.46 per day (£31.22 per week).

Some people are exempt from being paid National Minimum wage. These include:

• Self employed people
• Volunteers
• People on certain training schemes

For more information please call the National Minimum Wage helpline on 0845 6000 678 or visit the Direct Gov website: www.direct.gov.uk/nmw .

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Incapacity Benefit and Income Support to be Replaced

From October 27th 2008, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds are being replaced for new applicants. The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has been designed to help people acheive their full potential and to gain independence from benefits.

A new test, called the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will be introduced, which looks at what someone can do rather than what they can't. This assessment will, for most people, include an interview with a trained doctor or nurse, who will assess how someone's condition affects what they are able to do. The assessment will also look at what can be done to enable people back into work, for example adjustments in the workplace. Severely disabled people will not have a face to face interview. Instead their entitlement will apparently be decided on the basis of paper evidence for example from their GP.

Depending on the outcome of their assessment, claimants will be split into two groups: the Work Related Activity Group and the Support Group.

The Work-Related Activity Group:

Claimants are placed into this group if they are assessed as being capable of taking part in some form of work-related activity. They will be required to attend work-focused interviews to help them overcome barriers to work and to support them into long-term sustainable employment. Those who don't fulfill these requirements without good reason could face having their ESA cut.

The Support Group:

This group is for people who are identified as not able to take part in work-related activity. It is intended for the most severely disabled people. People in this group will not be expected to take part in work-related activities unless they want to. However they can volunteer for support if they want to return to work.

People who are already in receipt of Incapacity Benefit or Income Support on the grounds of incapacity will continue to receive these benefits, as long as they continue to satisfy the criteria. However, they can volunteer for the work-focused support if they wish.

Further information is available by contacting the benefits enquiry line on 0800 882200 or by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus Office.

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ILF User Groups

The Independent Living Funds (ILF) are looking for people to join their user groups.

They are looking for people who can become involved in user groups or regional meetings to aid consultation between the ILF and users.

User group meetings are held in Nottingham. For people who can't attend these, there is still the opportunity to comment on the ILF services, including customer services, policies, leaflets and their website. Individuals can also be contacted by post or email about new developments and have the chance to give their opinions.

To get involved, you can email feedback@ilf.org.uk or phone 0845 601 8815 and speak to a User Liaison Manager.

Source: www.ilf.org.uk .

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Employment Campaign for People with Learning Difficulties

During June 2008, Mencap launched Learning Disability Week, with street teams visiting places across the country to spread awareness of learning disabilities.

The week also saw the launch of their campaign; I Want To Work. The campaign highlights that people with learning disabilities who want to gain employment are often unable to do so. It also seeks to challenge attitudes held by employers and employees about what people with learning disabilities are capable of.

As part of I Want To Work, Mencap are encouraging people to write to their local MPs to tell them about the campaign. They have sample letters and emails that people can use. These are available from the campaign's website. Mencap is also encouraging employers to sign up to receive information on how they can employ someone with a learning disability.

Mencap has a network of employment and education services that work with people with learning difficulties, to help them develop the skills they need to find and sustain a job. The support includes:

• Searching for a job, writing a CV and making applications
• Mock interviews to help overcome nerves
• Using public transport to travel to and from work
• Work experience placements
• On the job training and ongoing support

These services also work closely with employers to help them find opportunities in their organisations for people with learning difficulties.

To find out more about how Mencap can help, you can contact them on 01543 460840 or visit www.iwanttowork.org .

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Staffordshire Training News

The Staffordshre Social Care and Workforce Partnership (SSCWP) has recently announced new funding for service users in Staffordshire. The SSCWP now has bespoke funding for training for groups of Direct Payments users, Personal Assistants or a combination of the two.

Courses available include food hygeine and first aid.

If you live in Staffordshire and would like to access training, you can contact the SSCWP on 07815 827430 to find out what they can offer.

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Art for Autism

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is launching a creativity competition for adults, as part of their campaign I Exist.

The competition is open to all people with autism who are over the age of 18. There are three different categories:

• Poetry and prose
• 2D art, including drawing and painting
• Photography

The closing date for entries is the 30th of September 2008. Entries will be judged by a small panel of celebrity judges. Prize winners and a number of other short listed entries will be displayed in a London art gallery in 2009.

If you would like to enter, please visit their website to download a copy of the entry form.

Other activities held by I Exist include pride days and targeting local authorities to appoint a person to be solely responsible to adults with autism.

If you would like to find out more about the campaign or to get involved, you can contact the National Autistic Society on 020 7833 2299 or visit www.nas.org.uk .

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Endurance TV

A new TV channel aimed at disabled people is being developed.

Called Endurance, the new channel is the brainchild of Arrie De Klerk of South Africa. Arrie believes that a TV channel devoted to disabled people will raise awareness of disabled people, their lives and their achievements.

Endurance is looking for people to send in video clips of inventions, adaptations or gadgets that they have found to be useful. The channel is also interested in meeting disabled people from around the world to hear their stories.

Endurance is currently asking people what kind of TV programmes they would like to see. Options include disability sporting shows, art, recreation, accessibility and motor vehicles. If you would like to have your say on the programmes, there is a survey to complete on the Endurance website.

For many people, television plays a big part in modern life. The team behind Endurance point out that despite this, there are currently no channels dedicated to disabled people. Even though there are some programmes about disabled people, the Endurance team believe a whole channel dedicated to disabled people is needed to spread awareness.

In order for Endurance to be a success, they are asking for as many people to get involved as possible, by completing the survey, sending them clips and getting in touch with stories.

If you would like to find out more, they can be contacted by email: endurancechannel@gmail.com or via their website:
www.endurance-channel.com .

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One in Four Magazine

A magazine called One In Four has been launched, aimed at people with mental health difficulties.

It was trialled in 2007 and, following its success, the publishers have secured funding to go into publication as a regular quarterly magazine.

The idea for the magazine was developed through personal experience of mental health services. Most of the people who contribute to the magazine have direct experiences of mental health difficulties and mental health services.

One In Four is a lifestyle magazine that includes features on treatments, advice on gaining employment, myth busting articles about mental health and much more.

It is intended that One In Four is available free wherever possible. It can be found in places such as doctor surgeries, libraries, Mind charity shops, primary care trusts and similar places. If it can't be found, it is available to buy online instead. The pilot issue from Summer 2007 is available to download for free from the One In Four website.

For more information or to purchase a copy, visit www.oneinfourmag.org or phone 020 7354 9129.

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Westminster Abbey Touch Tour

Westminster Abbey, in conjunction with RNIB, has developed a tour aimed at visitors who have visual impairments.

From the 21st April 2008, blind and partially sighted visitors to the Abbey have been able to access a new self-guided Braille Touch Tour.

Touch Tour participants will be able to touch and feel parts of the Abbey dating back nearly 1000 years. It includes monuments to military leaders, a bronze gate depicting episodes from the reign of Henry VII and a 17th Century marble font.

Visitors can pick up a guide in Braille or large print, which contains tactile images of Westminster Abbey, directions and historic and biographical information about the monuments. There are also diagrams of items that cannot be touched.

In developing the Touch Tour, Westminster Abbey has consulted not only with the RNIB, but also with specialists to ensure that delicate items in the abbey aren't damaged.

There is also an audio guide available.

The Touch Tour is hoped to open up the Abbey to more visitors and allow visually impaired people greater independence while visiting.

More information is available from: www.rnib.org.uk , telephone 0845 766 9999 or www.westminster-abbey.org or phone the Abbey's Information desk on 020 7654 4834.

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Paralympics 2008

On the 6th September 2008, the Paralympic Games will start in Beijing.

The Paralympic Games take place every four years. They are an elite multi-sport event for disabled athletes. The Paralympics started as a small event in England in 1948. Over the years they have grown to be a worldwide event for the most talented disabled athletes. The 2008 Paralympics expect to see 4000 athletes compete in 20 types of sports.

We wish our athletes the very best of luck and hope they will bring back a few medals!

The BBC has announced they will be showing extended coverage of the Games, however at the time of writing, we do not have more details.

To find out more visit: http://en.beijing2008.cn/paralympic .

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Who's Who at the Rowan?

In our last quality review, some service users said they weren't aware of all of the services offered by The Rowan Organisation. So we have produced a brief guide to who's who and what they do.

The Board of Management

The Rowan is a user-led organisation and our Board of Management is predominantly made up of service users and people who are disabled themselves.

The Board take an active role in the organisation so that the views of service users are taken into account when making decisions about the organisation and how it is run.

Local Teams

In each county where we provide support, we have a team of advisers who live locally to the area. These are the people that come out and visit you to help with the initial set up of Direct Payments.

Local teams are made up of Independent Living Advisers (ILAs) and, in some areas, Account Support Workers (ASWs). There is a Project Manager who oversees each local team.

ILAs are able to provide you with information about Direct Payments, support you with advertising for and recruiting Personal Assistants and becoming an employer. In the areas where ASWs work, they will support you with your account and paperwork.

The aim of the local teams is to empower individuals to become independent. If you need support from a local adviser, contact our head office and we will arrange for someone to get in touch with you.

The Payroll Service
The Payroll Service is available to service users who employ personal assistants.

The service includes:

• Registering you as an employer with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Dealing with HMRC correspondence, including tax codes
• Calculating wages, holiday entitlement, tax and HMRC payments
• Completion of paperwork such as P45s and paperwork associated with the end of the tax year
• Provision of time sheets and wage slips

When you opt to use the payroll service, you are allocated a dedicated payroll adviser, who will discuss all your requirements with you.

The Recruitment Line
When recruiting a personal assistant or carer, you can take advantage of our free recruitment service. Once you have drawn up adverts and job descriptions (with or without support from an ILA) the recruitment service can be accessed.

Applicants can phone our recruitment line to request an application pack that is specific to your job. This is sent out from our head office and returned to us when complete. We then forward it to you to enable you to make the final decision on who you employ. This method ensures your privacy is protected, while keeping you in control of the decisions.

The Information Service
Based at head office, the Information Service provides support to service users in all counties where we work.

We provide a free helpline that you can access about a range of issues. These include:

• General information about Direct Payments
• Issues relating to employment law
• Employers liability insurance
• Information about disability issues

Where we are unable to help, we will endeavour to signpost to the most appropriate group or organisation.

The Information Service has regular contact with the teams in each area, in order to stay informed of local policy and practices.

The team also produces this newsletter, Factsheets about Direct Payments and being an employer, and leaflets on Direct Payments. It also provides accessible information in a range of formats and languages.

If you would like any further information about a service offered by the Rowan Organisation, please contact our head office and we will be happy to assist you.

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Readers Write

A D of Pembrokeshire writes...

"My name is A D and I care for my grandmother via Direct Payments. We joined the scheme in October 2007 so are relatively new to all this. However, I came across a problem within the system when I tried to organise relief cover for my grandmother for me to take a holiday of only 5 days. I advertised for a relief carer but found only one applicant who then promptly decided, after meeting us twice (and being very enthusiastic), to quit a few days before I was due to go away.

Panic set in, as I have been looking after Gran for nearly two years without a single day off (I also have 3 kids aged between 6 and 15, a husband who works shifts, and a second job!) and I racked my brains for a solution. I contacted the Social Worker, but she was on an away day.

After speaking to Social Services, I was put in touch with a lady who works at the local hospital, who knew nothing about DP and was only taking messages for the Social Workers.

She suggested bringing in the local care agency, but on contact with them, we discovered that their rate for private care (as it would have to be), was a good bit above the hourly rate given to us via DP. More panic!

The upshot with the agency was that they could cover but in order to offset the cost with DP, they would do less hours than the usual weekly rota. So Gran would receive less care than usual but for the same money. This was unacceptable as every one of Gran's hours are needed.

The other problem we found is that the agency carers can not do medication. They can watch people take it but not help to administer it. Big problem as Gran is an Insulin dependant diabetic who cannot self inject due to arthritis. The solution to that was to drag the district nurse out every day to do it, or admit Gran to hospital. What an uproar! It was enough to put me off holidaying ever again. But then I wondered how many people were in similar situations.

I would like to hear from anyone in Pembrokeshire who was experienced difficulties in getting cover for them to have a break, with a view to finding a solution to this problem. I have a few ideas, but need to know if there are others like me before setting anything in motion.

Please feel free to contact me."

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Mrs P T of Dorchester, Dorset writes about her experiences of Direct Payments:

I am pleased I have got Direct Payments. I was happy to pay my carer privately and I didn't want the bother of filling forms in because I find it difficult to write now.

The staff at the day centre talked to me about Direct Payments and told me they thought it would be beneficial.

My social worker Ceri, came with Susan from Rowan and they explained it all to me.

My Direct payment money is looked after by a Holding Account, and I use Rowan's payroll service. Payroll tell the holding account how much to pay Mary, my carer, each week and she gets the money paid straight into her bank account.

It's all been so easy I wish I'd done it before.

My Direct Payment was backdated, so I was able to get back the money I'd paid privately to Mary since I was assessed. I am going to put this money towards the cost of having a patio laid so I can sit out in my back garden.

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Film Review

Inside I'm Dancing

Recommended to us by J D of Ceredigion, Inside I'm Dancing tells the tale of two young men who meet in the Carrigmore Home for the Disabled. Rory, a spontaneous rebel moves into the home, where he meets Michael, a shy young man who has lived there all his life.

Michael and Rory soon become friends and Rory encourages Michal to become more outgoing.

Together they persuade the local authority to give them a personal living allowance. They use this to move out of the home and into a flat where they employ Siobhan, an attractive and brassy young woman, to be their personal assistant.

With their newfound independence, life is theirs for the taking. However, problems start when Michael falls in love with Siobhan and a rift develops between the two men.

The film is a bittersweet comedy about the two men's battle to achieve independent living and the triumphs and tragedies they face along the way. J told us that as well as finding the film entertaining, she also shows it to new personal assistants as part of their training.

The film is available to hire from major rental companies and also available to purchase from high street shops.

Sources: www.bbc.co.uk/films and www.blockbuster.co.uk .

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Membership of the Rowan Organisation

The Rowan Organisation is a registered charity and not for profit organisation. It is a user-led organisation and the majority of Board members are disabled people, as are a number of our operational staff.

Membership of the Rowan Organisation is open to all service users and it's free! Ordinary members receive a summary of the quarterly Board meetings, are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and also have the chance to become a Board Member themselves.

Board membership offers an exciting opportunity to travel and meet up with others. Service user members', who are elected on to the Board, influence the management and direction of the organisation. Board membership offers a mix of business and social elements and all reasonable travel, accommodation and other expenses are paid for by the Rowan Organisation.

If you are interested in applying for ordinary membership, with the chance of becoming a Board member, please contact the Rowan Organisation at Head Office on 0800 783 1755 or by emailing info@therowan.org.
The following further information may help you to decide to become a member:

Mission Statement

"The Rowan Organisation exists to provide disabled people with access to information and support in order that they can make informed choices and be in control of their lives".

Vision Statement

"A society that is fully inclusive in which the barriers, whether environmental, attitudinal or institutional, that prevent disabled people from having equality of opportunity have been removed."
In providing services we advocate the following principles:

Services offered should support disabled people to have increased choices, independence and control of their lives.

Support provided should be based on and directed by the aims, objectives and needs identified by each disabled person.

The same range of opportunities and facilities should be available to disabled people as are available to others.

Disabled people should not be excluded, segregated or discriminated against because of their impairment.

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