Becoming a personal assistant

A personal assistant (PA) provides support with personal and domestic tasks. Their clients include people who are older, disabled, or living with a mental health condition or learning disability.

It’s an important and rewarding role, helping someone to live a full and independent life.

The job can be very flexible. It offers a variety of full and part-time hours, including evenings and weekends. You can support one person, or several clients.

What does a personal assistant do?

Duties vary depending on the client’s requirements. This may include providing support with:

  • household tasks, such as cleaning, gardening and shopping
  • personal care, like washing and dressing
  • assisting with healthcare tasks (after training)
  • looking after children and pets
  • driving, attending appointments and leisure activities
  • organising paperwork
  • liaising with other professionals and family members who support the client

What skills do you need?

You need to be a good listener and able to build a strong and trusting relationship with the person you support. You must be reliable, encouraging and treat people with dignity and respect.


To find work as a PA you can contact the organisations listed below:

PeoplePlus

You can register with PeoplePlus via their website or contact them:

Phone: 01323 414 674.

Email: People Plus - East Sussex

Website: PeoplePlus Personal care assistants

Independent Lives

Independent Lives is a charity and social enterprise which advertises current vacancies on its website:

Phone: 01903 219 482

Email: Recruitment - Independent Lives

Website: Independent Lives - PA pages

The People's Choice Sussex

Health services use The People’s Choice – Sussex agency to connect people who have with complex health needs with Personal Assistants.

Personal assistants can find jobs on the People’s Choice website, or on the Friday ad, Facebook and Indeed.

Phone: 01273 615 088

Mobile: 07805 541 448

Email: People's Choice - Sussex

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