Employing a personal assistant

If you employ, or you're planning to employ a personal assistant (PA) to help you meet your care and support needs, there's lots of useful information and advice in our handbook.

The samples and blanks section includes examples of job adverts, application forms, interview checklists, and employment contracts, as well as other useful resources.

Becoming a personal assistant

If you are interested in being a personal assistant you can find out about the job in our information pack.

If you are looking to employ a personal assistant, or if you wish to register as a personal assistant looking for work, you can sign up to Sheffield's PA register.

Training opportunities

You can find free training opportunities for:

• Individual employers who want to better understand their roles and responsibilities as an employer
• Personal assistants wanting to improve their skills and knowledge

If you need to claim training costs for your personal assistants, or if you wish to fund specific training not offered in our standard directory, you can see if you meet the requirements and apply for training funded through Skills for Care by visiting their website.

Support and benefits for personal assistants 

We have purchased a number of complimentary 12 month ILG PA memberships. They are support and benefits packages for personal assistants.

ILG PA membership

The ILG PA membership flyer provides information about the support and benefits included in the membership. It also covers the sign up process.

If you work as a personal assistant, you can sign up and enter the code to get your free membership. 

If you employ personal assistants please share this offer with your PAs.

Company Shop membership

PAs can benefit from a membership at Company Shop. This supermarket is different. It sells products that would otherwise go to waste, helping you save money and protect the environment.

How to apply for individual employers

If you have a PA, they can join Company Shop if they want. This store is for members only and offers discounts on items that might otherwise go to waste.

To get membership, contact the Direct Payments Support Service at 0114 205 6825. They'll send you a confirmation letter.

The letter has two parts. Part 1 will be filled out by the Direct Payment Support Service. Your employer needs to complete Part 2 with your information.

Once you have the confirmation letter, visit Company Shop with one piece of photo ID. They'll set up your membership, and you can start shopping.

Role development

There is an eagerness to enable people to be in control of their own support arrangements and employ PAs of their own choosing. Although, across the region, local authorities, community groups and individual employers are sharing their struggle to find Personal Assistants. 

However, knowing that there is a potential workforce seeking new opportunities in work that offers job satisfaction, rewarding employment and flexibility prompted us to tackle this conundrum.

Personal Assistant Workforce Summit

In December 2023, a summit was held. It brought together influencers and change-makers committed to addressing the challenges of promoting the PA role and improving the offer to this workforce.

A report of the available to download. It highlights all discussions and commitments made and explains how you can get involved.
 

Find advice and resources on Direct payments and managing your care.

Personal assistant employment status

This resource helps you work out whether your PA is self-employed or should be classed as a paid employee. This is something that only HMRC can decide, not something that is agreed between you and your PA. Low Incomes Tax Reform Group have created a factsheet for those taking on a PA. It explains the technical rules around employment status for tax purposes.