Information for Personal Assistants (PAs)

Take a look at Useful links for Personal Assistants page for further information and guidance, such as:

• What is a Personal Assistant in Care
• Employment information
• Training and qualifications

A Personal Assistant can provide people with support for a wide range of tasks such as: 

• Going to activities or on days out
• Making meals 
• Domestic help around the house 
• Help with work or education 
• Using transport and getting out and about
• Personal care.

Working as a Personal Assistant can be as varied as the people you support, and every day is different!

A Personal Assistant is employed by the person they support. They are not employed by Hampshire County Council.  

They can be employed by: 

• Someone who receives a Direct Payment, which is money paid to an individual who has been assessed by their Local Authority so that they can arrange their own care themselves.  
• A self-funder – someone who is using their own money to fund their care. 
• A family member or friend – this is when the person who requires the care does not have the mental or physical capacity to be the employer. 

You could be working for them at their home, or at a place of leisure, education or work. The role is flexible and your responsibilities, tasks and working arrangements would be agreed with the person and/or their family based on their needs. 

Watch a video to find out more about becoming a Personal Assistant.

Watch Caroline's video about being a Personal Assistant in care in Hampshire.

Being a Personal Assistant is a rewarding career, watch the video of a local Personal Assistant to find out more about their role. You can hear from others on the Skills for Care website. 

Find out more about the role of a Personal Assistant in Care.  

You don’t necessarily need to have any previous experience or qualifications. What is important is having the right values as your employer will rely on you for support. For example, your employer might like you to be motivated, caring, flexible, a good listener, use your initiative and have a willingness to learn, as well as sharing hobbies or interests.   

Depending on the needs of the person who employs you, they may arrange for you to have specific training so that you can provide the support they need. 

Personal Assistants can also use the Hampshire County Council online training tool for a range of online and face-to-face training courses specialising in all aspects of Adult Social Care.  

Watch a video to see what it takes to be a great Personal Assistant to someone. 

This would be decided by your employer and may reflect the duties they need you to undertake. An average rate would be in the region of £11.50 per hour. Your employer will arrange your pay, tax, national insurance and pension. You should be given an employment contract by your employer and you are entitled to all statutory leave. 

Skills for Care have put together a toolkit for Personal Assistants with all the information you need to get started in a career as a Personal Assistant.  

The toolkit covers: 

• Information about the role and responsibilities of a Personal Assistant 
• The recruitment process and how to prepare your application and for interviews 
• The values and skills of a Personal Assistant 
• The recruitment process 
• Getting support and connecting with other Personal Assistants, as well as joining a union. 

Before signing up to the website, please read the terms and conditions. 

You can find more useful links on our Useful links for Personal Assistants page. 

To take a look at the vacancies available on the website you’ll need to sign up as a Personal Assistant. The website is free to use, there are no sign-up or ongoing fees to look for vacancies. 

You'll be spending a lot of time with your employer, so communication is really important. Working together and managing problems as they come up will mean you can maintain a good relationship that works for both of you. 

Skills for Care have more information about sorting out problems and how to have good conversations with your employer.

What is abuse or neglect?

As a Personal Assistant your role is to take care of your client. Abuse can happen anywhere and can be carried out by anyone, and part of your role includes safeguarding your client against abuse and neglect.

There may be signs that could include;

• Physical abuse
• Domestic Violence or abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Financial or material abuse
• Modern Slavery
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Neglect or act of omission
• Self Neglect

• It is vital to act quickly if you suspect your client is being abused. The longer you wait to tell someone the more your client is going to get hurt. If you do suspect your client is being abused, then:
• Try to directly speak with your client. Try to get them to open up and feel comfortable about talking about this. If not, then speak to others who know them. Maybe family members or friends. Try to see if they have noticed anything off about your client, or if they have been told about the abuse.
• If you think your client is in immediate danger or suffering a medical emergency, then contact emergency services by calling 999              

Personal Assistants who work with vulnerable adults have a responsibility to report any safeguarding concerns, even if it means breaking confidentiality with the person they are supporting. Personal Assistants must act promptly if they have any suspicion or concern that a vulnerable adult or a child is being abused, neglected, or exploited.

Information about making a referral can be found on

Hampshire - Report a safeguarding concern to Hampshire County Council 

Southampton - Report a safeguarding concern to Southampton City Council 

• What is abuse - information from Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board.

What do I do if I’m being abused?

If you have been subjected to abuse by your client, it is important that you speak out about this.

This may be difficult, since maybe you worry it will make the abuse worse or that your client is not to blame as their condition means they are in pain or scared. However, abuse is never okay and so your concerns will be taken seriously.

There are lots of people you can talk to. For example:

• Someone you trust (e.g. family members, friends)
• Your GP
• Social services
• Ask for ANI (pronounced “Annie”) at your local pharmacy. This alerts the pharmacy that you are being abused.

Further useful information can be found on Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board