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• More rights for working parents
• National Minimum Wage update
• State Pension age for women
• Budgeting Advice from the Financial Services Authority
• Readers Writes
• Caring with Confidence
• Changes to our website
• Training Opportunity from the Chartered Institute of Housing
• Employers Liability Insurance
• Free Swimming for Older People
• Celebrations in Staffordshire
• Don't Tell the Bride
• Able Radio
• Membership of The Rowan Organisation

More Rights for Working Parents

In April 2009, the government extended the rights of working parents to request flexible working.

Employees have the right to request flexible working arrangements if they are a parent of a child under 16, or a disabled child under 18 as well as carers of adults.

The request can cover working hours, times, working patterns or place of work. It must be made by the employee in writing.

If you employ people who are eligible to request flexible working, you have a statutory duty to reasonably consider any requests made to you and to refuse only if there are clear business grounds for doing so.

If you require assistance with understanding the changes, you can contact us for support. Further information is also available from the Acas helpline on 08457 474747.

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National Minimum Wage Update

In October 2009, the annual increase to the national minimum wage will come into effect. If you employ personal assistants or carers, you will need to ensure you are paying them at least the minimum amount from that date.

The new rates will be:

• £5.80 an hour for workers aged 22 and over
• £4.83 an hour for workers aged 18 to 21
• £3.57 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17

If these increases are likely to affect you as an employer and you have any queries, please contact us in early September 2009.

Further information is available from the National Minimum Wage Helpline, 0845 6000 678.

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State Pension Age for Women

The State Pension age for women is changing to be brought into line with that for men. The process is gradual and will take place between 2010 and 2020.

Women who are affected by the change will receive a personalised letter from the Department for Work and Pensions. These letters are being sent out between April 2009 and January 2012. Women should receive them prior to their 60th birthday. The letter will explain the changes and include the date at which they will start receiving their state pension.

The changes will mean that:

• women born on or before 5 April 1950 will reach State Pension age at age 60;
• women born on or after 6 April 1955 will reach State Pension age at age 65; 
• women born between the above two dates will have a State Pension age of between 60 and 65, depending on which year they were born.

The change also affects some benefits. The age up to which people can claim Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Income Support will go up to 65. However, this will mean waiting longer to claim benefits such as Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments, as these will also increase to 65.

For more information on the changes, contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898 or visit http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/.

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Budgeting Advice from the Financial Services Authority

The Financial Services Authority has launched an advice guide on how to manage your money. ‘Making your budget work for you' was launched in 2008 to provide a clear, jargon-free guide to budgeting.

It includes information on planning a household budget, practical tips on how to keep things under control, and what to do if you get into debt. There are also answers to common questions around savings, mortgages and loans.

The free guide is available by calling 0845 606 1234 or by visiting the Money Made Clear website (www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk), which also has information on coping in the credit crunch and everyday money matters.

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Readers Writes

Unfortunately we don't have any Readers Writes this time. We welcome contributions for each issue of Directions, especially those related to Direct Payments and Independent Living.
If you would like to contribute, please contact your local Independent Living Adviser or the Information Service at Head Office.

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Caring With Confidence

In May, the government launched Caring with Confidence, to improve the lives of carers in England.

Aimed at people who provide unpaid care for friends or relatives, Caring with Confidence offers free learning opportunities to carers over 18.

Carers will be encouraged to increase their skills and knowledge by attending local sessions, completing self-study workbooks, accessing online sessions, or a combination of all three.

The sessions are designed to: help people build on their strengths as carers; provide opportunities to share experiences with others in similar situations; provide ideas and tips about supporting someone; and help them to think about what they might like to change about their caring role.

To find out more visit: www.caringwithconfidence.net

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Changes to our website

We have recently been improving our website and are pleased to announce the launch of several new sections and the development of some existing ones.

The Direct Payments page has been revamped to include greater detail about Direct Payments, assessments, employing staff and other associated topics.

New sections include an introduction to Self Directed Support, which provides information about Individual Budgets. We have also lunched a page called Our Services, which gives details of the support available from The Rowan Organisation.

Another new section is called ‘In Your Area', although this is currently under development, and will eventually provide a range of information, services and links that will be specific to your county.

Finally, we hope to introduce the facility this year which will enable our service users to advertise PA vacancies on our website.

As always, we welcome any feedback from you regarding our website, www.therowan.org.

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Training Opportunity from the Chartered Institute of Housing

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has launched a traineeship aimed at encouraging disabled people into the housing profession.

The Positive Action for Disability (PAfD) programme offers training to disabled people who are looking for a career in housing. The scheme is being run together with several progressive housing associations who want to increase the number of disabled people who work in the sector. Over the next five years, they aim to support 120 disabled people through training and into placements in the sector.

The programme involves a two year Training Placement, during which trainees will study for a formal housing qualification. Upon completion, they will be eligible for CIH membership to support their ongoing professional development.

The scheme includes payment of a training salary and course fees. Trainees will also receive personal support, including a mentoring scheme. There is no charge to successful applicants for the training.

Applications are invited from people with a range of skills and attributes who want to develop a career in the housing profession. The CIH is looking for highly motivated people who are interested in housing and communities and who have good communication, negotiation and organisational skills. Candidates should also have a desire to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities.

People who want to apply can contact Graham Findley, the PAfD Manager at the CIH, for more information or an informal chat. Graham, who is a disabled person himself, has experience of working in the disability equality and housing sectors. He can be contacted on 07508 042112 or by emailing graham.findlay@cih.org. Further information is also available on the CIH website: http://www.cih.org.uk/careers.

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Employers Liability Insurance

If you employ personal assistants or carers, you are legally required to purchase Employers Liability Insurance.

This insurance offers protection for you. For example, if your employee is injured while helping you, you could be faced with a claim against you. It doesn't have to be your fault. The fact that they were injured while working for you may be enough for the courts to award compensation. Similarly, if your employee caused injury to another person outside the home or damaged their property while assisting you, you may be liable to pay compensation.

Three companies which specialise in providing cover for Direct Payments employers are; Fish Insurance, Direct Care Insurance and Ellis Bates. All three offer a policy which provides basic cover for employers' liability and public liability.

However, both Fish Insurance and Direct Care Insurance can also provide a comprehensive policy which provides additional cover for, amongst other things, legal advice and costs associated with employment tribunals, should such situations arise.

It is important to choose the policy that offers you adequate protection for your situation and it is equally important to recognise that there are a number of differences between the levels of cover offered by Fish and Direct Care. It is also important that you renew your policy each year if you continue to employ staff. The annual premium can normally be paid from your Direct Payments or Personal Budget.

For further information, you can contact the Information Service and for actual details of the various policies on offer you can contact the providers directly or view their websites:

Fish: 01772 724442 or www.fishinsurance.co.uk.

Direct Care: 0800 4583301 or www.homecareinsurance.co.uk.

Ellis Bates: 01423 724518 or www.ellisbatesgroup.com/socialcare.

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Free Swimming for Older People

From 1st April 2009, people aged 60 and over can enjoy free swimming at over a thousand pools in England. The new scheme is designed to encourage people to keep active and to make it easier for them to do so.

Four out of every five local authorities have joined up to provide free swimming for older people. As part of the scheme, councils will be receiving grants to improve facilities, promote interest and increase participation. People will be able to use pools in other areas for free if their own council is not taking part.

Each council can deliver the scheme in their own way and will differ from place to place. For example some places may ask for a form of ID to prove eligibility, or may issue a card for swimmers to present when they visit the pool.

Over a hundred thousand free swimming lessons are being offered across England to encourage people to join in. To find out more about free swimming for older people in your area, you can contact your local council or your local leisure centre for details.

Source: www.direct.gov.uk

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Celebrations in Staffordshire

To mark the success Direct Payments in Staffordshire, the Rowan Organisation will be hosting a celebration event in September. The event will celebrate the 7 years of support services offered by The Rowan Organisation to Direct Payments users in Staffordshire.

It will offer the chance to find out more about Direct Payments in Staffordshire. It will also give existing Direct Payments users the opportunity to see if they are making the most of their Direct Payments.

If you live in Staffordshire and would like to find out more, please look out for the flyer, which will be sent to you shortly. Hope to see you there!

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Don't Tell the Bride

The makers of a BBC programme, ‘Don't Tell the Bride', are looking for people who want to take part in the new series.

Renegade Pictures are looking for engaged couples who want to get married, but can't afford to do so. They have £12000 to put towards the wedding, to help make the couple's dreams a reality. But, there is a catch: the groom has to organise the big day.

The producers are interested in representing people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and situations.

Couples who would like to apply can call 020 7087 2907 or email weddings@renegadepictures.co.uk.

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Able Radio

Able Radio launched its new schedule with a live interview with George Johnson, the man behind www.uhad2bethere.co.uk.

Able Radio is a digital radio station that broadcasts daily shows covering all aspects of living with disability and medical conditions. The project is addressing the under representation of disabled people in the media, as all of their presenters are volunteers who have a disability. Able Radio can be heard online at www.ableradio.com.

Uhad2bthere is an online directory and disability website designed to help individuals find information, support or equipment. It also contains articles and factsheets about disability related topics.

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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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