A personal assistant (PA) supports an individual to live more independently, usually in their own home. Working as a 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 various 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, take a look at our Personal assistant toolkit which explains more about the role, why it’s a great job, and how you can find work.
Upcoming events
Personal assistant drop-in sessions
Tuesday 12 January | 14:00 - 15:00 | Online | Register today
If you're looking to connect with other micro providers, private carers, employed or self-employed personal assistants (PA), come along to our drop-in sessions share experiences your peers in a relaxed open space.
Lastest news
Funded training offers available 2026-27
The user led organisation (ULO) training hub brings together training offers to help you and your employer to develop and learn new skills.
Our ULO training fund guide for IEs and PAs explains how you can benefit and access funded training through your local ULO/DPO.
View the guide
Visit the ULO training hub to explore what’s available.
Keep up to date
Sign up to our newsletter to hear about the latest news and opportunties for IEs and PAs.
A practical guide to learning and development for personal assistants
This guide is to help you support your employer and grow in your role as a personal assistant.
View the guide
Guidance for self-employed personal assistants (SEPA)
These guides help SEPA and care workers understand their legal responsibilities, professional boundaries, and best practices when providing care in England. These resources explain how to operate safely and compliantly whilst working under the direction of the person receiving care.
These guides have been created with support from Rhys Davies at Somerset Council (formerly Community Catalysts), ensuring the information reflects current regulatory expectations and practical experience in the sector.
PDF - 212 KB
This quick guide explains the legal boundaries for self-employed care and support workers, and outlines what workers can and cannot do.
PDF - 210 KB
This guide outlines legal responsibilities, employment status requirements, professional standards, and the limits of the exemption, helping carers understand when registration is required and how to provide safe, compliant care in unregulated settings.
You and your employer
An employer has certain responsibilities towards their PA, but every employer might do things in a different way.
Working as a PA is unlikely to be like any other role within health and social care, it can be complicated and intense, but also fulfilling.
PA working is a shift in power away from care being provided to someone, to people having choice and control over how they are supported to live their life the way they want to.
PAs can be involved in all aspects of an individual’s life, and this involves trust on both sides for it to be effective.
Employers and their PAs should agree to:
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Work together to promote independence, support choice and show mutual respect.
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Recognise each other’s differences with regard to personality, culture and lifestyle. Communicate in an open and honest way so that we understand each other.
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Grow together: learning from each other’s life experiences, developing new skills, recognising the time needed to be confident in our roles.
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Be flexible when appropriate, whilst managing expectations.
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Recognise and respect the boundaries of our working relationship and those around us.
I like to see the smile on Anne’s face and the difference I can make to her life, making it possible to live her
life the way she wants and take part in the things she wants.
Kelly
Personal assistant
Personal assistant toolkit
Our Being a personal assistant toolkit is for people who want to be, or are already working as, a personal assistant. It explains more about the role, why it’s a great job, and how you can find work. It also has useful information about what to expect when you first start and what learning and development you could do.
Individual employer funding
This funding can be used to cover training costs to develop your skills as an employer, direct costs of completing training/qualifications, hiring replacement support whilst your usual PA is attending training courses and travel.