Personal Assistant Service
A Personal Assistant assists the Leader (a person with a physical or sensory disability) in all aspects of daily living. This assistance is given at the direction and discretion of the Leader, to ensure that they can engage in independent living and apply self-determination and control over their own life. The role of the PA is personalised to the requirements of the individual Leader and may include assisting the Leader with personal and domestic care needs, social, educational or work activities.
Galway Centre for Independent Living provides a Personal Assistant Service to people with disabilities in Galway City and County who are between the ages of 18-65. Galway Centre for Independent Living is the employer of the Personal Assistant, but the Leader takes on the role of their day-to-day line manager. This means that the Leader will take on the direct supervision and on-the-job training of the Personal Assistant to ensure that their requirements are met. All Leaders who receive a service from GCIL will be offered full training in this role. Galway Centre for Independent Living, in their role as employer, will ensure that:
will ensure that:
- There is a robust, transparent recruitment process in which the Leader is fully involved.
- All checks on the Personal Assistant are carried out i.e. references, garda clearance.
- A full induction training programme is undertaken.
- Employers PRSI, Insurance, Sick Pay and statutory Holiday Pay are covered.
- Personal Assistants have ongoing supervision to identify any training and personal development requirements.
GCIL provide Personal Assistants under a number of different funding streams, a FÁS Community Employment Scheme, HSE funding, Department of Education funding for Students in third level education and services Privately funded by the individual.
An initial application form needs to be filled in with Galway Centre for Independent Living. When this is received a full assessment of the individual’s requirements will be carried out by a member of staff at Galway Centre for Independent Living. The individual will then be placed on the waiting list for service. The length of time waiting for a personal assistant service will depend on the requirements of the individual and the type of funding that is available.
For details please contact The Galway Centre for Independent Living.