Devon personal assistant (PA) network
Welcome to the Devon PA Network. This website brings together people who need help from a PA, with people who want to be a PA or are already helping other people as a PA.
What is a PA?
A PA (Personal Assistant) is employed by someone who needs social care, either because of their age or disability, to enable them to live as independently as possible. This could include helping with shopping, household tasks, supporting people to access community resources like the library as well as community activities and leisure facilities. A PA can also help with personal care such as bathing and getting dressed. PAs can be employed by individuals who receive NHS funding via a Personal Health Budget, and who require support meeting their health and wellbeing needs (www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/what-is-a-personal-health-budget).
Important note
Please be aware that PAs listed on this website are not employed by Devon County Council. A PA will either be employed by an individual who requires support or will be self-employed. The PAs on this site have not been checked by or endorsed by Devon County Council. For more information please read our terms and conditions.
Do you need help finding a PA?
Are you looking to find a Personal Assistant (PA), to support you, or a family member/friend at home?
We have created an online ‘PA Shout Out’ form that will support you with this process. The form is quick and easy to complete, it will ask you what type of care or support you are looking for, in which area of Devon and what skills or qualities are required for the position.
Once you have submitted this information, an anonymised advert will be created on your behalf and will be automatically sent out to PAs registered on the PA Network. PAs who are interested in your advert, will respond direct to the contact details that you have submitted. This does not create an advert on Pinpoint.
Thinking about becoming a PA?
In Devon we urgently need more people to step up and support people in our community who require help at home.
If you can provide care and support to people at home – whether that’s to deliver personal care, help around the house, or help that person to get out to do things in their community – then we’d love to hear from you.
You may already do this for other people, as a Personal Assistant, or perhaps you’re considering becoming one.
If you would like to find out more about being a PA, please browse the ‘Useful Information” section below, or make direct contact with the team at Devon County Council by emailing socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or calling 07970 908732
If you can provide care and support to people at home – whether that’s to deliver personal care, help around the house, or help for that person to get out to do things in their community – then we’d love to hear from you.
Community Catalysts
Could your new career be offering care and support to older and disabled people near you?
We’ve funded Community Catalysts to help people in Devon set up working on a self-employed basis offering help at home to older and disabled people. You might offer cleaning, help with cooking, washing, dressing, sitting and chatting or something else.
Community Catalysts can help you to offer creative flexible support to help people to lead a full and active life! Find out more about Community Catalysts
Useful information for Personal Assistants
If you would like to become a PA
You can either jump straight in, read the information on this site, create a listing on this site, and make a start, or make direct contact with the team at Devon County Council by emailing socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or call 07970 908732.
Useful information about becoming a PA is available on Devon County Council's Provider Engagement Network and includes details of how you can sign up for PA shout out emails where you can be alerted to details of people looking for care, training, WhatsApp groups where you can network with other PAs and PA drop-in sessions.
There is good background information on the role in the Skills for Care
Advertising your PA service
This PA network can help you offer your services as a PA. You can list your own advert. Sign up for an account and choose 'Add your Personal Assistant listing'. Give as much detail as possible about the services you offer. This will help prospective clients choose the most appropriate assistant for them. Use the 'How to guide' to help you with setting it up. You may also find work through our job advertisement service. Find a PA vacancy now.
Working as a PA
You can choose to work as either an employed or self-employed PA. As a PA you are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Please be aware that individuals funded by NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Personal Health Budget) are not able to have self-employed PAs, all PAs must have ‘employed’ status.
You should be willing to provide the following for the person that you are working for:
- proof of your right to work in the UK
- any relevant training and qualifications
- previous employment references
- if you are self-employed, your HMRC confirmation of registration as self-employed
- if you are self-employed, proof of liability insurance
- a current Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check
More information and guidance about working as a PA can be found in our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section.
Training
It's important to develop your skills and knowledge as a personal assistant so that you are able to offer care and support to people.
Take a look at our PA training page, we are currently able to offer a range of funded training including an eLearning package, the HSSAP programme and more. You can also find more general information about what training is available through Skills for Care
Wellbeing
The Wellbeing for Staff includes information on all areas of wellbeing. Please see national, local resources and tools for all staff across adult social care. Ways to look after your wellbeing, self-help, build resilience and how to get support when you need it.
Useful information for employers
Advertising for a PA
This PA network can help you find someone who can offer care and support. Find a PA now.
If you are unable to find a PA you can advertise your requirements on this network.
Alternatively, you could use a care agency. Care agencies employ carers to help you in your own home. Unlike PAs, these agencies must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Recruiting a PA
You may not think of yourself as an employer but if you employ your own PA using a direct payment, your own money, a personal care or health budget or other means, that’s exactly what you are.
It is the responsibility of the employer to follow a recruitment process and be satisfied that a PA is competent and capable to carry out the tasks required and to check the credentials of their Personal Assistant.
Please be aware that individuals funded by NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Personal Health Budget) are not able to have self-employed PAs, all PAs must have ‘employed’ status.
If you receive funding from NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Personal Health Budget), Plymouth City Council, or Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, please ensure you contact them with any queries and adhere to their individual terms and conditions.
Anyone considering employing a PA should take steps to make sure that the PA has all the necessary paperwork before they are employed. We encourage employers to seek a minimum of two references from a PA and ask for proof of:
- right to work in the UK
- any relevant training and qualifications
- HMRC confirmation of registration as self-employed
- proof of liability insurance if the worker is self-employed
- a current DBS check
More information and guidance about employing a PA can be found on our 'Frequently Asked Questions' section.
