Personal Assistants
Working as a personal assistant (PA) can be a very rewarding career and there are lots of opportunities to progress.
As a PA you'll work directly with one or more individuals to support them with varius aspects of their daily life. This could be in their own home, in the community, at leisure or at work.
If you're interested in becoming a PA, find out more in the 'What is a PA' section below. There's also practical advice to help you find work, do training and access support networks.
New resource documents
A PA supports an individual to live more independently, usually in their own home. These resources explain a bit more about the role for those interested in working as a PA, and for those already working in the role.
Being a personal assistant
This guide explains everything you need to know about being a PA including
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Other resources to help you
What is the role of a personal assistant?
This video from Ruils explains more about the role of a PA.
Working with people with a learning disability
This video from Ruils explores what it's like to work with someone with a learning disability.
Working with people with a learning disability - PAs supporting the decisions by people with a learning disability
This research analyses the detail of communication between personal assistants and people with learning disabilities.
Working with people with dementia
This video from Ruils explores what it's like to work with someone with dementia.
How to be a great PA for someone with autism
This guide explains a bit more about how you can support someone with autism.
PA working and CQC registration
This guidance explains more about whether you need to register with CQC as a personal assistant.
Understanding social care
These resources explain a little bit more about what social care is and what it's like to work in social care.
Understanding health care
These resources explain a little bit more about what health care is and what it's like to work in health care.
Being a PA can be a very rewarding career. But don't take our word for it; hear from some people who work as PAs.
What is the role of a personal assistant?
This video from RUILS explains a little bit more about what it's like to work as a PA.
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Other resources to help you
Meet Caroline
Caroline is a PA for Claire, who has a learning disability and uses a personal care budget to pay for PAs. She works as a PA whilst studying at University.
Meet Kelly and Elem
Kelly and Elem are PAs who support Anne, an elderly woman with dementia, who lives at home with her husband.
Meet Mo
Mo supports Helen, who has a learning disability and is prone to seizures, to live everyday life the way she wants.
Meet Sarah
Sarah did an apprenticeship as a personal assistant.
Meet Sue
Sue works as a PA with Marta, who has a disability called freidrichs ataxia. They have similar interests and have also become close friends.
Meet Tuiji and Charlotte
Tuiji and Charlotte are PAs for Sheena, who has advanced dementia. They support her to live in her own home.
There are lots of ways you can find a role as a personal assistant. Here are some resources to help.
Find your local PA register or support organisation.
You could advertise for work or find roles through your local PA register or support organisation. Find their details here.
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Other resources to help you
Become a personal assistant apprentice
An apprenticeship is a great way to start your career and gives you the opportunity to gain experience, do a qualification and earn a wage.
Here are a few things you should think about and understand when you start your role as a PA.
Your statutory rights and entitlements
This guide explains your statutory rights and entitlements as a PA.
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Other resources to help you
Health and safety in the home
This video from RUILS explains a bit more about health and safety when you're supporting someone in their own home.
Supporting your employer with moving and assisting
This video from RUILS explains a bit more about how you might support your employer with moving and assisting.
It's important to develop your skills and knowledge as a personal assistant and there are lots of opportunities to do this. Here are some examples of training and qualifications you could do.
A practical guide to learning and development
This guide is for personal assistants to help you develop in your role. It will help you think about what learning you might want to do and how best to do it.
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Other resources to help you
Funding for training
Your employer can apply for funding to pay for you to do training and qualifications; this is called individual employer funding.
Develop your career
There are lots of ways you can develop your career as a PA. These resources explain how, including the different roles you could progress into.
Working as a PA means you'll have a unique working relationship with your employer. No one likes to think of things going wrong, but it's important you know what to do if things do.
How to solve a workplace dispute: guidance from HMRC
This guidance explains how you can make a formal complaint or grievance about your employer if things go wrong.
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Other resources to help you
Working with LGBTQI+ disabled people
This SCIE briefing has information for PAs working with LGBTQI+ disabled people.
Early conciliation in workplace disputes: guidance from ACAS
This guide explains more about early conciliation if you have a dispute at work, to avoid an Employment Tribunal claim.