Personal care assistant

As a personal assistant you would support your disabled employer to live an independent life. Personal assistants are employed privately. People can receive funding from the local authority to employ their own support staff. 

You could assist a variety of people such as: 

• elderly people 

• disabled people 

• people with mental health conditions 

• people with learning difficulties  

• children 

You could work as part of a team of support workers or independently. You could work for more than one employer. You could be self-employed. 

Your daily tasks would be determined by your employer depending on their needs. You would not need to make decisions for your employer. You would support your employer to meet their identified goals. Your employer will identify their needs and objectives with you – your role will be to support them to meet their objectives. This could involve supporting with: 

• preparing meals 

• personal hygiene needs such as taking a shower or going to the bathroom 

• household maintenance 

• managing medication 

• transportation

• The PA handbook

• Personal assistants network Scotland