Personal Assistant Database – Choices and Rights Disability Coalition

How We Help People Find the Right Personal Assistant

As part of the Direct Payment Support Scheme, we’ve developed a bespoke database of potential Personal Assistants (PAs). Our database includes a growing number of local people across Hull and the East Riding who are interested in PA work, and we advertise new vacancies every day. This has helped many people begin or develop a career in the care sector and attracts candidates of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

Interested in Becoming a PA?

In June 2020, we redesigned and simplified the PA database to make registering as a PA quicker, easier, and more user‑friendly.
To find out more or to sign up, visit: www.padatabase.org.uk

Looking to Advertise for a PA?

If you employ a PA, there are certain legal responsibilities you must meet—such as keeping accurate accounts, organising payroll, and providing statutory entitlements like sick pay, holiday pay, maternity leave, and a pension. Support is available to help you understand these requirements and to guide you through your role as an employer.

We can support you as much or as little as you need. We will:

Advertise your vacancy to all registered PAs on our database through our mail‑out system
Promote your vacancy on additional online job boards
Offer support with the interview and selection process, and continue to assist you beyond recruitment

If you’d like help advertising a PA role, please contact:
📧 office@choicesandrights.org.uk
📞 (01482) 878778

For more information about any of our services, please contact Choices and Rights Disability Coalition.

What Does a Personal Assistant Do?

A Personal Assistant works directly with an individual to support them with various aspects of daily life, enabling them to live in the way they choose. PAs are usually employed directly by the person who needs care and support, funded through a personal budget or their own money. Sometimes a family member or representative may act as the employer, but the PA always works directly with the individual they support.

Most PA roles are employed positions rather than self‑employed arrangements.

The role is highly varied. You may be asked to support someone:

At work or in education
To maintain relationships with family and friends, including childcare
To meet new people and build friendships
To get out and about—driving their car, providing transport, or using public transport
To enjoy hobbies and interests such as cinema, gigs, swimming, or holidays
With personal care, including washing, dressing, and bathing
To communicate their needs and preferences
With household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, meal preparation, shopping, paperwork, or pet care
To attend hospital or other appointments
To manage anxiety or support mental health recovery
To improve physical health through diet or exercise
To learn new skills or gain employment

Some PAs may also carry out certain health‑related tasks with appropriate training. Not every PA will do all of these tasks—support is tailored to the individual. Often, the role is also about companionship and shared interests.

Who Can Be a Personal Assistant?

Experience and qualifications can be helpful, but they’re not always essential. What matters most is having the right values and approach.

A good PA is someone who:

Enjoys helping people live life in the way they choose
Wants to make a meaningful difference
Can work independently or as part of a small team
Can build a strong, trusting professional relationship
Understands the boundaries of the role—they are an employee, not a friend
Recognises that the employer directs the work

Why Become a Personal Assistant?

Job Satisfaction

You support one individual at a time, allowing you to work at their pace and build a long‑term professional relationship.

Flexibility

PA roles can fit around your life. Employers may need support at different times of the day, so you can often find hours that suit your schedule.

Variety

No two PA roles are the same. You may support people with different needs, interests, and lifestyles—and you can work for more than one employer if you choose.

Attractive Pay and Conditions

PAs are often better paid than agency staff and more likely to have regular, permanent hours.

Skills Needed to Work as a PA

Everyone working in social care needs strong:

English skills
Number skills
Digital skills
Employability skills such as teamwork and problem‑solving

These are often called core skills or transferable skills.

Specific skills for PA work include:

Working on your own initiative
Good listening and communication
Flexibility and time management
Strong interpersonal skills for one‑to‑one support

This guide helps you:

Understand the core skills needed in social care
See practical examples of how these skills are used
Reflect on your own skills using the STAR method
Explore ways to develop your skills further

Before You Apply for a PA Role

Each employer will have their own idea of the type of person they’re looking for and the tasks they need support with. These will be set out in the job description.

Before applying:

Read the advert and job description carefully
Make sure you can carry out all the tasks required
Consider whether the role suits your interests and abilities
(e.g., don’t apply for a role involving swimming if you dislike water)

Needs can change over time, so it’s important to review the job description regularly and communicate openly with your employer. Flexibility is important, but if you’re ever asked to do something unexpected or unclear, have a conversation to ensure the working relationship remains positive and respectful.

Choices and Rights have received support from Hull City Council to produce a video showing three different examples of how disabled people can use direct payments. The video features stories of the different experiences of disabled people and their Personal Assistants (PAs) and was produced and edited by Mal Wlliamson. (https://malwilliamson.com/)