Personal assistants

Personal Assistants (PAs) are employed to help people who need social care and health, or health care, support. This could be because of their age or disability, and can enable them to live as independently as possible in their home.

From 20 January 2025, we have a new accreditation scheme called Personal Assistants at Home Network (previously Support with Confidence) that PAs can join to receive training, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and carers benefits.

PAs can help carry out a wide range of tasks including:

  • personal care such as helping someone get washed and dressed
  • health related tasks
  • cleaning and housework
  • shopping services
  • preparing meals
  • leisure and recreation activities
  • helping someone to get involved in their local community
  • supporting someone at their work.

Working as a PA can be very rewarding, challenging and varied as well as offering flexible working patterns to suit your other commitments.

PAs can be employed directly by one employer, or they can work for several different employers. They can also work as part of a team of PAs who are employed by and supporting an individual. People who employ PAs are either in receipt of a Personal Budget Direct Payment (Local Authority), Personal Health Budget (NHS) or pay privately (self-funding).

Find out more

Watch the videos below to find out more about working as a PA.

For more information about being a PA, visit the Skill for Care website.

If you are interested in becoming a PA, you can apply to join the Personal Assistants at Home Network.

To find out more about the Personal Assistants at Home Network or becoming a PA, please email nottshelpyourself@nottscc.gov.uk.

To view current PA job vacancies, please visit the Notts Help Yourself website.

Data protection

If you are working or looking to work as a self-employed PA, you may need to register with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as you may be a data controller under data protection legislation. You must check to see if this applies in your situation and can do so by checking on the self-assessment pages of the ICO website. Further guidance around data protection is also available on the ICO website.

It is the responsibility of a self-employed PA to assess whether they need to be registered with ICO.

Looking for a personal assistant

If you are looking for PA support, visit our I'm looking for a personal assistant page.

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