Personal assistants - also known as PAs – work for people who need support due to age or disability. They provide support and/or care to meet their needs.

PAs carry out a wide range of tasks within their role – all with the objective of helping people lead the lives they choose to live.

These tasks can include support with washing and getting dressed, cooking, eating and also support to get out and about and do the things they need to do.

A personal assistant must understand that each person they support is an individual with specific requirements, and that their role is to support them to have choice and control.

Qualifications

A level 2 intermediate diploma, or apprenticeship in health and social care, is desirable for a personal assistant. But it is not always essential, as they may be given the opportunity to progress towards their qualification whilst working.

Diplomas are the current qualifications in health and social care, which have replaced NVQs, but some workers still hold NVQs which are still valid. In the case of a personal assistant, they may hold a level 2 NVQ.