We have been contacted about a new online survey by the University of Kent about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care workers’ wellbeing and workload. The questionnaire relates to everyone working in social care. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and can be done on your mobile. It’s completely anonymous but you [...]

The world has become more accessible for disabled people since work, leisure and socialising got taken online as a result of Coronavirus… It’s ironic that while the world has discovered what it is like to be unable to go to the pub, go to gigs, travel or visit museums, COVID-19 has opened up a whole [...]

Though the latest detailed guidance from the Government makes no specific reference to disabled people, it does make reference to those who are 'clinically vulnerable' and 'clinically extremely vulnerable’ people. Those individuals who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable are being advised to continue shielding themselves for some time to come yet and the Government [...]

Following some disturbing reports about how disabled people are being treated during the COVID-19 pandemic, a disabled rights charity has called for the NHS to develop new guidelines to help protect them… While many people are making the most of being in lockdown, spending time as a family, starting up a new hobby, many disabled [...]

One in four disabled people believe they have lost out on a job offer due to their disability. And a fear of discrimination prevents disabled people from telling employers about their condition, according to the latest research from the disability charity Scope. The charity’s chief executive said the report should be “a wake-up call for [...]

Personal assistants for the disabled and housebound often travel to and from their homes in the EU between weekly shifts. How does the coronavirus outbreak affect this arrangement, and how can both parties be protected? Scroll down for the latest updates... Many of the PA’s (carers) on PA Pool’s register come from countries within the [...]

Four in five disabled people want to be more active but demand is not being met. Only two in five feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be. Worryingly, this level of inequality is resulting in a more negative experience, including social isolation for many disabled people. [...]

If you missed the Queen’s Speech on 14 December then you may not be aware of a couple of Government policy plans which will impact on disabled people. First and foremost, a new National Disability Strategy (NDS) was announced saying that, “We want to transform the lives of disabled people, ensuring they have access to [...]

UKDHM takes place each year between 22 November and 22 December, though many events and activities take place outside of this time slot. It is supported by more than 100 organisations, including the NUT. The period purposely covers World HIV/AIDS Day (1 December), International Day of People with Disabilities (3 Dec) and International Human Rights [...]

Good news as the Government has confirmed that the freeze in benefit payments is to come to an end in April next year. The freeze, which was originally announced in 2015 during that year’s Budget, ends former Chancellor George Osborne's decision to introduce a freeze from April 2016. As a result, the DWP (Department for [...]

Did you know that 7.6m working age people in the UK have a disability? If you’re not actively recruiting talent, then your competitors probably already are! The Disability Confident scheme helps employers make the most of talents that disabled people can bring to your workplace and over 13,000 organisations have already signed up. Disability Confident [...]

Three new website features are coming soon to PA Pool! Highlighted profile for PA’s/Carers to attract more work with our new Premium PA feature Evaluate your Carer or your employer with our improved Star Ratings feature Identify when you are free for work or let PA's know exactly when you need cover with our new [...]

Do you employ your own personal care assistants? Exciting news! PA users can apply for money for training to develop their own skills as an employer and to pay for training for their PAs. If you’re a PA user, find out more and download the application form from the Skills for Care website. If you’re [...]

There’s a whole workforce of disabled people out there, just looking for the right opportunity… There’s no reason why disabled people cannot be valued members of staff, but they are often overlooked because employers find it awkward to deal with a disability, cannot see past that disability, or wrongly assume that it means they can’t [...]

PA Pool is an alternative to care agencies, a quicker and more cost effective way than using an agency to find a carer – or for personal care assistants looking for new clients… Finding a Personal Care Assistant (PA or Carer) is not simple. It’s not like employing someone to work in an office – [...]

PA Pool are pleased to announce that we have now partnered with Surewise.com to offer our members 20% off your self-employed carers insurance. As a self-employed carer, there are many responsibilities you need to think about, from taxes and communicating with your clients effectively, to protecting yourself should anything go wrong. When managing your own [...]