Finding a PA

Skills For Care offer helpful step-by-step guidance about recruiting a PA, and templates such as a sample job description, job advert, interview letter etc.

Recruitment options

1/ The Shropshire Personal Assistant (PA) Noticeboard is a free service that lists PAs looking for work and for adults looking for PAs.

2/ Advertising. Costs will need to be agreed and included in your direct payment budget. Speak to your social care worker for more information. Options include:

• Word of mouth - speak to family, friends, neighbours and local contacts (hairdresser etc)
• Advertise in local shops, supermarkets, community noticeboards etc. There may or may not be a cost
• Local press - eg Shropshire Star or Shrewsbury Now
• Job centre website - this is a free service, but you have to create an account. We recommend using 'Private household' as 'The company'. This will show on the posted job adverts as the company name and not the individual's personal name
• Gumtree.com - from £4.95 up to £92.99
• Social media. You can advertise on Facebook etc, although bear in mind your safety and don't include too much information that could be used to identify you
• Online recruitment, eg Indeed – a PA role is a sponsored job type so it's not possible to advertise this role for free. A budget and end date can be set. Costs are based on number of clicks
• PA recruitment sites - there are other but national websites on which to advertise or look for a PA. These are less likely to have local PAs unlike our site in Shropshire. Usually there is a cost, which will need to be added to the support plan. Examples are ukcil.com or papool.co.uk or eyja.co.uk
• Introduction sites – there are some sites who offer personal assistant services. Some introduction agencies who appear as care agencies. There are various fees, terms and conditions that apply that differ from agency to agency. If you're considering using an introduction agency you must discuss it first with your adult social care team

Safety

DBS video

Once you’ve found a PA take a look at our 'Employing a PA' or 'Self-employed PA' pages for next steps.