It can be a very rewarding career. You work closely with a person locally and help to make a difference to their life, supporting them to live their life in a way they choose. 

Take a look at the Skills For Care website, where you'll find videos showing what it's like to be a PA.

A PA is someone who is usually employed directly by a person (or a family member) who needs support to enable them to live their life as well and as independently as possible. 

Tasks may include: 

• Supporting them to learn new skills or tasks to aid independence  
• Helping someone get around and live an active life (work, learning, leisure etc)  
• Helping them to meet family and friends 
• Shopping 
• Preparing meals 
• Help with medication 
• Driving 
• Supporting them with their mental health 
• Supporting family carers when they need a break 
• Personal care, such as washing, dressing and using the toilet 

As a PA you're likely to be involved in many aspects of your employer’s life in the home, at leisure or at work. The opportunity to focus directly on the needs of an individual and the diversity of the role is what attracts many people to this type of work. 

It's not just your experience that may be important, it's about your values and the type of person you are. An employer may want to match interests that you have to their own.

• Ability to listen, willingness to learn 
• Sensitivity and understanding 
• A desire to help people live a life they choose and control 
• The ability to work well with others 
• Reliability 
• Empathy, patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations 
• The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure 
• To be thorough and pay attention to detail 
• An understanding that you are an employee not a friend; your employer directs the work 
• Excellent verbal communication skills 

Take a look at the Skills For Care website for more on the values that are important.

As a PA, you can work flexibly around your other commitments. This means that you can specify hours that you're available, and that work for you. You can also work for more than one person if you wish. 

As an employed PA, your potential wage could be £11.75/hr. 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. Other employers may pay you privately or have money awarded from Shropshire CCG (health).  

There are opportunities for training and career progression. Take a look at our training page for more information.

There are opportunities to do a range of work for different people with different needs and requirements, and even to work with someone who has some of the same interests as you. 

Being employed by the person you support means that you'll be there when they need you, and you can fulfil your tasks well without needing to rush off. You can also develop a longer-term professional relationship with your employer. 

You can now advertise your availability to work as a PA for free in the caring sector on our local Shropshire PA noticeboard. You need to register, agree terms and condition and add your profile. You can manage the information that is displayed on your profile: the days and times of your availability within the week, the local areas you wish to work in, the training you have, your interests and the specialist areas that you're willing to work within. 

Once you've done this, the team will moderate your profile and publish it on the site. Then those who are looking for a PA will get in contact, or you can contact them about a job on offer.

It's also worth considering advertising on local media as well as online job sites..

For the role of personal assistant in this sector it's recommended that you have a new DBS application even if you already have a DBS certificate. Speak to your potential employer about this as they can arrange this via their social worker. 

If you are a self-employed PA you are expected to cover the costs of getting a DBS check completed. You’re the Boss is a organisation which will process a DBS for a self-employed carer for a fee. Find out how to get a DBS check here.

To register your interest in this role and begin the process towards advertising your services in our directory, please email pa.noticeboard@shropshire.gov.uk and provide your full name, contact number and reason for getting in touch. In the subject line of your email, please include the words 'I would like to become a personal assistant'. Once we receive your email, we'll be in touch by email and will advise you of the next steps.