4 replies to this topic

[rustytulip79]

Hi,

I currently receive direct payments from the government and get my PA's through an agency. I am due to go on holiday with my girlfriend to Crete next year and will need a PA to be there just to get me up in the mornings.

What I would want to do (ideally) is pay my PA privately the same amount I pay for the agency for the week we are in Crete and say the extra money on top of what you usually get you could put towards flight/accomodation and we'll pay the rest.

Does anyone have advice or experienced anything similar?

Cheers,
Russ.

[kewlcatkez]

rustytulip79, on Jul 21 2008, 11:48 AM, said:

Hi,

I currently receive direct payments from the government and get my PA's through an agency. I am due to go on holiday with my girlfriend to Crete next year and will need a PA to be there just to get me up in the mornings.

What I would want to do (ideally) is pay my PA privately the same amount I pay for the agency for the week we are in Crete and say the extra money on top of what you usually get you could put towards flight/accomodation and we'll pay the rest.

Does anyone have advice or experienced anything similar?

Cheers,
Russ.

Hi Rustytulip,

No personal PA abroad experience, but just a few ideas/queries...

Are you planning on going thru the agency to get the person you want to accompany you on holiday? or approach the PA privately?

I had a mooch and found a few tid bits of info about such a situation. Although, I can imagine that each area would have a different policy..(typically!)..

Quote

Can I get someone to go on holiday with me?

Yes. A number of agencies advertise holiday escorts who will accompany you on holiday. You will have to pay all their costs as well as the normal agency fee.

Some disability and holiday organisations offer holiday accommodation with assistance provided. Gateshead Council on Disability can give you information on this.

and:

Quote

I really like my agency personal assistant. Can I employ them myself and save money?

Yes, but not without the prior agreement of the agency and usually you will have to pay the agency a one-off fee.

Both you and the personal assistant have a legally binding contract with the agency. This usually requires you to pay a fee to the agency if you want to directly employ someone that the agency has introduced to you.

taken from Independent living org - Using a home care agency: "A question and answer guide
for Disabled people, by Stuart Bracking and Ross Cowan.

Also, have you seen http://www.independentliving.co.uk/ ? they have a wealth of info and may be able to point you in the direction of others who have taken a PA abroad under the terms you suggest.

Good luck and I hope this helps some!

K

[KarenFerguson]

I realize you've probably thought of this, but perhaps you could have your girlfriend help you up in the morning? Then you wouldn't have to deal with the whole aid thing. Just a thought.

[rustytulip79]

KarenFerguson, on Jul 21 2008, 05:54 PM, said:

I realize you've probably thought of this, but perhaps you could have your girlfriend help you up in the morning? Then you wouldn't have to deal with the whole aid thing. Just a thought.

She will if we're having a lie-in but I don't want her involved in my bathroom activities shall we say. I'm one of these people that believe certain lines shouldn't be crossed.

Kewl - thanks for the reply. I wanted to use this PA just for the week outside from the agency. I like going through an agency in case of cover etc.

[JT80]

hi, i use d.p's and i've used the system for my travels too. difference is i employ direct rather than agency.
however, same principle.
you can be sure that d.p will not cover flights/accomm but use your weekly d.p to hire someone directly - which p.a doesn't want a week away-look on gumtree... then come to a pay agreement that helps you both out. think laterally...
pm me if you want more info