Training for personal assistants
Accreditation scheme
From 20 January 2025, we partnered with a new accreditation scheme called Personal Assistants at Home Network that offer over 130 fully accredited continuing personal development courses. The courses are delivered in an online platform run by Grey Matter Learning, an award-winning e-learning provider in the social care sector and recognised Skills for Care 'Centre of Excellence'.
The courses can be accessed by anyone looking to become a Personal Assistant (PA) by joining the Personal Assistants at Home Network.
Some examples of the free courses available to network members include:
- safeguarding adults and children
- first aid skills
- fluids and nutrition
- dementia awareness
- care planning
- care certificate
- medication administration
- mental health awareness
If you have any questions about PA training, please email contact@personalassistantsathome.com or nottshelpyourself@nottscc.gov.uk
Further training and support
Working as a PA is both rewarding and challenging. Undertaking further training can help you in your work, professional and personal development. Your employer may want you to have training that will help you carry out your tasks and role more effectively and safely. Your employer should talk to you about this and help identify appropriate training courses. You may also identify suitable training that you want to have.
Further information, access to training and possible funding can be found on the websites below.
Social Care Institute for Excellence e-learning
A range of interactive resources for self-learning and formal training. Once registered, you can access free training that includes infection control, dementia awareness, personalisation and other topics.
Skills for Care
Support and information for PAs and their employers including funding for training through the Workforce Development Fund and the personal assistant employers' toolkit. Information is also available on the Care Certificate including FAQs about Personal Assistants doing the Care Certificate [PDF].
Notts Help Yourself
Information on training that covers a range of topics including health conditions and opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge, NHY training information.
NHS England
Information on personal health budgets including resources and videos.
Personal Assistants Networks
Information and guidance for personal assistants and their employers on a range of subjects.
Social Care Institute for Excellence Social Care TV
An online channel including video-based training resources and general interest programmes for everyone involved in the social care sector.
