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What is a Personal Assistant (PA)

Learn what a PA does, who might employ one, and how to become a PA in Torbay.

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A PA helps someone with everyday tasks. What you do depends on what the person needs. You might: 

  • Help with washing and dressing (not all PA jobs include this)
  • Plan and join in fun or active things
  • Book, and go with them, to appointments
  • Help them get to work, college, or university
  • Help with things like shopping, cooking, and cleaning
  • Check their health, like taking their temperature or giving medicine
  • Go with them on errands or trips
  • Help with social events or work tasks 

Every PA job is different. It depends on what the person needs help with in their daily life. 

Watch a video about the role of a Personal Assistant:

The benefits of becoming a PA 

PAs play a key role in social care. They help people live more independently and lead the lives they choose. They are not care agency staff or local authority workers. PAs are either self-employed or directly employed by the individual they support. 

Being a PA means you can make a real difference in someone’s life—often someone who lives near you. The job can include: 

  • Helping with washing, dressing, or cleaning
  • Joining in fun activities or trips
  • Helping with everyday tasks at home 

Most PA jobs are part-time. They can fit around your other plans. You can work with adults or children. You do not need to have worked in care before. What matters most is that you are a good match for the person. Training is usually available to help you learn what you need. 

Who might employ a PA 

Some people receive direct payments and arrange their own care. These people might: 

  • Have a physical or learning disability 
    Have mental health needs 
    Be children or young people who need help each day 

People looking to employ a PA tend to value someone they can trust. They look for someone who is:  

  • Reliable 
    Friendly 
    Easy to work with 

One of the most important things is building a good, caring relationship with the person you support. 

Skills, qualifications and experience a PA would need 

You do not always need formal training or past jobs in care to be a PA. What matters most is your attitude. You should be: 

  • Kind
  • Respectful
  • Safe in how you help others 

As a PA in Torbay, you should follow the rules in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers. 

To learn more about what is expected, you can: 

Some employers may ask for basic school qualifications like GCSEs in English and maths. You can also earn a care qualification after you start the job. 

Experience can help, but it doesn’t have to come from paid work. You might have helped someone in your family, volunteered, or done a placement. What matters most is that you can be trusted and give support that fits the person’s needs. 

The difference between being employed and self-employed

There is a difference between being an employed PA and a self-employed PA. 

Employed PA: 

  • The person will directly employ you
  • the employer will:
    • set your hours and
    • set your rate of pay and
    • have a contract of employment with you
  • the employer has the responsibilities of an employer such as ensuring:
    • you are paid correctly
    • relevant deductions for tax etc, are made 
  • you will be entitled to paid annual leave 
  • you can opt into a pension scheme

Self-employed PA:

  • source your own work which involves more than one client
  • have freedom to choose what work you do
  • be able to set your own rates and be in control of the hours you work 
  • be required to register with HMRC with responsibility to pay tax and NI contributions
  • need adequate insurance 
  • provide evidence of up-to-date DBS  

Get advice from support networks on PA employment status

How to become a PA in Torbay

If you want to work as a PA in Torbay, you can sign up to be on the PA register. To do this, contact support networks at Windmill Torbay.

Support Networks is a community-based project. They help match independent PAs with people who receive Adult Social Care funding. It is a free, local service. They do not hire or manage PAs, but they give advice and tools to help you work on your own.

If you want to apply, make sure your profile includes:

  • Your skills
  • Your experience
  • When you are available

This helps people find the right PA for their needs.

You can also use the Application Toolkit on AdultSocialCare.co.uk to help with your profile.

Note: Support Networks checks all applications. They can remove profiles if needed.

How to find a suitable PA in Torbay

If you receive a direct payment from us, please contact Support Networks. They can give you a list of PAs who may be able to meet your care and support needs.

Useful links and documents