What is a Personal Assistant or PA?

As a self-employed personal assistant, you can work directly with one or more individuals to help them with various aspects of their daily life, to help them live as independently as possible. They are sometimes called carers or micro-providers. AtHome only works with Self employed individuals.

Personal assistants usually support individuals in their own homes or help them go out in the community.

You can be engaged to work for a number of different clients.

Your role might include:

  • organising and supporting individuals with their social and physical activities

  • booking and going with individuals to appointments

  • helping individuals to get to work, college or university

  • helping with personal care such as showering and dressing (although not all PA roles involve personal care)

  • supporting with tasks around the house such as shopping, cleaning and cooking

  • monitoring their health, for example, measuring body temperatures or overseeing medication in dosset boxes

Download the Skills For Care 'Being a personal assistant' guide to find out more about the role, including who can be a PA, the recruitment process and starting work.

What skills do I need to be a self-employed PA?

Everyone working in social care needs English, number, digital and employability skills, including teamwork and problem-solving skills. What core skills do I need to work in social care outlines some of the skills you need and has short activities to help you think about transferable skills from your previous experiences.

There are also some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include

  • the ability to work self-employed, on your own initiative

  • good listening and communication skills

  • flexibility and time management

  • good interpersonal skills to work with someone on a one-to-one basis.

What experience and qualifications do I need?

You don’t necessarily need any qualifications to become a personal assistant, but as a minimum, you should complete a care certificate, and we would recommend further training Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Its also really important that you have the right values and behaviours to work in social care.

It might also be useful to have experience working in a similar role or with vulnerable adults. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering or as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship.

How do I get started?

If you are interested in working as a personal assistant, you can register on the AtHome portal and create your profile. This will then be visible to people who are looking for support. Click here to get started.