Whilst working as a personal assistant you can develop your skills by training, and you’ll have to do some important standard training. This might include moving and handling, safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene, fire safety or a condition-specific awareness course, such as autism awareness, or supporting people with dementia. 

Your employer can arrange and pay for specific training to help you in your role. They apply for this training via both us and Skills For Care.

Local training options

Shropshire PA Noticeboard is able to offer free access for a limited number of PAs to Careskills Academy. Careskills Academy offer an e-learning programme covering a wide range of knowledge and skills relevant to working as a personal assistant. The courses include autism, dementia, continence care, and safeguarding.

If you are currently employed as a PA supporting someone in Shropshire and are interested in accessing free e-learning please contact pa.noticeboard@shropshire.gov.uk  for further information.

Joint Training

Run by Shropshire Council, established for over 25 years and offering a wide and varied range of courses.

• Website
• Online course application
• Sign up to email updates/newsletter

Partners in Care

Partners in Care are a not-for-profit care association supporting independent adult social care providers across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Established in 2003, they exist to represent, upskill and champion our local adult social care providers and their staff.

• Training and events

National training options

Skills For Care

• Learning and development
• Free resources for personal assistants 

You can also look at increasing your knowledge by completing a care certificate award. The certificate is an agreed set of standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors.

With experience, you can become a lead care worker, taking on more responsibilities such as creating rotas and supporting with interviews. You can also move into more senior jobs, like managing people or services, if you study for further qualifications, such as a level 5 diploma in leadership and management for adult care, or a degree in social work or nursing. Find out more on career development from the Skills For Care website.

Penderels

• Training

Online training

• Care Skills Academy
• Future Learn - PAs and disability support
• Open Learn - free courses

Training videos

Health and safety video – working in someone’s home...

Moving and assisting video...