Scheme supporting social care staff now live in Powys
A scheme to financially support social care staff who have to stay away from work because of Covid-19 is being rolled out across Wales.
The enhanced statutory sick pay (SSP) scheme is now live in Powys.
The support is for care workers who are required to stay off work due to actual or suspected Covid-19 or because they have to self-isolate.
Staff may also be entitled to the isolation payment of £500 announced earlier but they can only access support through one of these schemes, not both.
The enhanced SSP scheme is now live and will run until March 31 and applications back dated to November 1 will be eligible.
To be eligible for the scheme, the individual must be an employee of a registered care home (including children's homes); an employee of a domiciliary care service; an agency care worker or agency nurse (when booked by a registered care home or domiciliary care service); bank or pool staff when booked to undertake a series of shifts; contracted staff providing daily input into care homes and having substantial contact with residents (for example catering staff) or a personal assistant paid through direct payments.
Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, Powys County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for adults' services, said: "Our care staff have been on the Covid front line and that has created many difficulties for them.
"I welcome this scheme to support these vital members of our team. They have stepped up to the mark in this crisis. "
