Supporting Personal Assistants in Social Care

A personal assistant (PA) is an individual who provides regular support to a person to help them live happily, healthily and safely in their local community. Support can include helping with basic daily living tasks, personal care and going out and about in the local community.

PA’s are typically directly employed by a person using a Direct Payment (DP) or using their own funds, meaning the person is responsible for things like the PA's tax and national insurance. However, some PA’s may be self-employed, meaning the PA is responsible for things like tax and national insurance. Sometimes, self-employed PA's might be known as a micro-provider.

We know being a PA can be a great job and provides fantastic support to people! However, people have told us they would like more information and support to help with successful recruitment and retention.

We would like to hear more from Staffordshire residents to help us shape our future offer:

• People (and their representatives) who are currently supported by a PA (regardless of how this is funded) or who might think about this type of support in the future.

• People who currently work as a PA (directly employed or self-employed) or who might think about this as a future employment opportunity.

We would welcome your feedback by Sunday 26 May 2024.