Personal Assistant (PA) jobs

Personal assistants provide a valuable role in social care. A personal assistant, also known as a PA, supports people to live independently and to lead the life they choose. 

As a PA, you are not employed by a care agency or the local authority. You are either employed by the person you will be caring for or you are self-employed.

Being a PA gives you the opportunity to make a positive difference to someone’s life. Often this is for someone in your local community. 

The role of a personal assistant is a varied one and can range from supporting with personal care and household tasks to accompanying people in the community and with social activities. 

Roles are usually part time and are sometimes flexible so could be fitted in around your other responsibilities. PA roles are available to support adults and children.

Previous experience in care isn’t always necessary. When someone is looking for a PA they usually want someone who is a good personal match. Training can be provided if you need it for the role.

Who might employ a personal assistant

Personal assistants are a popular choice for those who receive direct payments from us for their care. This may include people who have:

• physical and learning disabilities
• mental health difficulties
• a child or young person and they need help with care and support needs

Most people employing a PA will look for someone they feel they can get along with, and who is reliable and trustworthy. An important skill to have as a PA is the ability to build a strong, trusting bond with the person you are caring for. 

What a personal assistant role might include

The role of a personal assistant is a varied. It can include:

• help with personal care and household tasks
• accompanying someone into the community for errands or appointments
• attending social activities
• providing support in their place of work

The role will depend on the needs of the individual employing you. It will be based on any aspects of their life they need support with.

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

Employed PA: 

• you will be employed directly by the person
• the employer will set your hours and 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 and that the 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
• be your own boss
• have more freedom over the 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  

If you sign up to the register at the end of this page you can create your PA profile and apply for various vacancies.

People looking for a PA will be searching for support to best suit their needs so it is important you include as much as you can about your skills, abilities and availability within your profile.

Your application is checked and we have a right to remove any entries at our discretion.

If you receive a direct payment from us, please email pa-support@n-somerset.gov.uk for your job listing to be posted on the register.

If you try to post it yourself, you will need to pay a subscription fee. 

We are working in partnership with UKCIL to deliver a personal assistant register and jobs page. 

You can see a list of current vacancies, where you can apply easily online for any roles you may be interested in.