Working as a PA
Contract
Employed PAs should legally have a contract from your employer with the terms and conditions of your employment. These state your rights, such as holiday entitlement, notice periods, how to deal with a grievance etc. It's a useful tool for sorting out any disagreement. If you don't have one speak to your employer. Sample contracts are attached to this page.
Self-employed PAs should provide a contract for service outlining the obligations and expectations between you and the person you are providing the support to. It clearly defines the scope of work, payment terms, notice period, ensuring a smooth working relationship and mitigating potential disputes.
Pensions
Employed PAs may be eligible for a work-based pension. Look at the GOV.UK website for more information.
Self-employed PAs are responsible for setting up their own pension scheme.
Self-employed PAs
You should be registered with HMRC as self-employed to work as a self-employed PA. You'll have a unique tax reference number which you'll need to evidence. You'll also have to set up your own public liability insurance and evidence this, and supply a contract of your services.
There are some companies that can support you with working as a self-employed PA for a membership fee. They give lots of helpful advice, some training, help with getting a DBS arranged, and one offers discounts: Self Employed Micro Provider | ILG - PA
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
For the role of personal assistant, it's recommended that you have a new DBS at enhanced level with barring list, even if you already have a DBS certificate. It's mandatory to have a DBS check completed if you're working with children.
Employed PAs can request a DBS through potential or current employers, as they can arrange this through their social care worker.
Self-employed PAs are expected to cover the costs of getting a DBS check completed, or joining the DBS update service.
Find out more from the Gov.UK website.
Employment issues
Where possible any employment issues should be discussed directly with your employer. Support is available from ACAS and unions help members resolve problems or issues related to work, offering confidential advice, support, and guidance. There’s usually a fee for joining a union and in return you receive benefits. For example, Unison has a personal assistant support network. You can also find help from the GOV.UK website.
Wages
Employed PAs could earn £11.75 an hour. This is paid from your employer, who may get something called a direct payment. This is money we provide following an assessment to enable someone to buy their own support.
Self-employed PAs set their own rates. Shropshire Council agrees a standard rate of £16 an hour for self-employed PA support, so any other rates must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Self-employed PAs don't qualify for annual leave or statutory pay, and are liable for their own tax and insurance.
Other employers may pay you privately or have money awarded from Shropshire CCG (health).
Safeguarding
It's recommended that you attend safeguarding training so that you can identify when your adult employer may be at risk or suffering any type of abuse. Find out more from the training section.
If you feel the person you're working for is being abused and it's an emergency, contact 999 or 101 for the police. Otherwise please contact First Point of Contact on 0345 6789044 Monday - Thursday 9am-5pm or Friday 9am-4pm. Outside of these hours contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0345 6789040. Alternatively, you can report it online.
If you have concerns about a child/under 18 please report it immediately.
Support
The National Association of Care and Support Workers is a care workers' organisation that includes both employed and self-employed PAs as members. It offers advice and support regarding legal advice, discounted DBSs, counselling, eLearning etc if you sign up and pay a membership fee
The Care Workers' Charity specifically supports care workers, including PAs
You may find it useful to sign up to the Skills for Care newsletter that informs you about forthcoming events
There's a website for personal assistants hosted by Penderels Trust, the national direct payment support provider
Blue Sky Social Care Card - discount card specifically for PAs
Partners in Care is a not-for-profit association supporting independent adult social care providers across Shropshire. They offer PAs training, representation, networking, discounted DBS checks and information, for £48 a year. This is available to self-employed and employed PAs.