About the role of a Personal Assistant

A Personal Assistant can provide people with support for a wide range of tasks such as: 

• Going to activities or on days out
• Making meals 
• Domestic help around the house 
• Help with work or education 
• Using transport and getting out and about
• Personal care.

Working as a Personal Assistant can be as varied as the people you support, and every day is different!

A Personal Assistant is employed by the person they support. They are not employed by Hampshire County Council.  

They can be employed by: 

• Someone who receives a Direct Payment, which is money paid to an individual who has been assessed by their Local Authority so that they can arrange their own care themselves.  
• A self-funder – someone who is using their own money to fund their care. 
• A family member or friend – this is when the person who requires the care does not have the mental or physical capacity to be the employer. 

You could be working for them at their home, or at a place of leisure, education or work. The role is flexible and your responsibilities, tasks and working arrangements would be agreed with the person and/or their family based on their needs. 

Watch a video to find out more about becoming a Personal Assistant.

Watch Caroline's video about being a Personal Assistant in care in Hampshire.

Being a Personal Assistant is a rewarding career, watch the video of a local Personal Assistant to find out more about their role. You can hear from others on the Skills for Care website. 

Find out more about the role of a Personal Assistant in Care.  

You don’t necessarily need to have any previous experience or qualifications. What is important is having the right values as your employer will rely on you for support. For example, your employer might like you to be motivated, caring, flexible, a good listener, use your initiative and have a willingness to learn, as well as sharing hobbies or interests.   

Depending on the needs of the person who employs you, they may arrange for you to have specific training so that you can provide the support they need. 

Personal Assistants can also use the Hampshire County Council online training tool for a range of online and face-to-face training courses specialising in all aspects of Adult Social Care.  

Watch a video to see what it takes to be a great Personal Assistant to someone. 

This would be decided by your employer and may reflect the duties they need you to undertake. An average rate would be in the region of £11.50 per hour. Your employer will arrange your pay, tax, national insurance and pension. You should be given an employment contract by your employer and you are entitled to all statutory leave. 

As a Personal Assistant, every day is as different as the people you work with. 

Robert and Caroline are PAs in Care to Claire, who lives in Hampshire

Watch the video below to find out more about working with someone who has a learning disability:

Watch the video below to find out more about working with someone who is living with dementia:

Social Care Institute for Excellence has put together information on working with LGBTQI+ people.

Skills for Care has a guide on being a Personal Assistant for someone who has autism.

Watch the video to find out more about moving and assisting your employer:

Watch the video to find out more about health and safety in the home:

Find out more information about carers insurance.