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- Tasks: Support individuals in their homes and communities with daily tasks and social interactions.
- Company: Join Action on Disability, a charity empowering individuals to employ their own care staff.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, free training opportunities, and peer support while earning £14-£15 per hour.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience and skills.
- Qualifications: Must have the right to work in the UK and good communication skills; experience with vulnerable people is a plus.
- Other info: Flexible working hours from 3 to 40 hours per week, perfect for balancing studies or other commitments.
Do you want us to include you in our newly-created database of Personal Assistants? The benefits of being successfully included:
- You will be informed of the latest job vacancies provided by our clients.
- You will be assisted with job matching; your needs, skills, and abilities will be matched with the needs of our clients, allowing for rapid placements.
- You will be informed of the latest free training opportunities to support your vocational development.
- You will be able to access peer support.
The above service is free of charge.
Who are we: Action on Disability's Direct Payments Support Service (DPSS). At Action on Disability, we support individuals to employ their own care and support staff (we are not a recruitment agency; we are a support service). This means you will not be employed by Action on Disability, but directly by the individual themselves or by a representative who is acting on their behalf.
The Post: Personal Assistant. Personal assistants (PA) usually support individuals in their own home or to go out into the community. You will be employed directly by an individual who is a client or the representative of a client of the Direct Payments Support Service (DPSS) of the charity Action on Disability (AoD). Our clients receive direct payments from the local authority. They use these direct payments to commission their own care and support. Employing personal assistants is a way disabled people can have choice and control over care and support arrangements.
Job Description: The responsibilities of a PA may include some or all the following. A PA contributes to the well-being of people by:
- Being a companion to the individual, maintaining social interactions.
- Supporting individuals to manage bookings and going out to appointments.
- Supporting individuals to organise their paperwork.
- Accompanying or supporting individuals to access or engage in education, training, work, social, physical, or volunteering activities.
- Supporting individuals to make use of community services.
- Accompanying or supporting with shopping.
- Supporting individuals to maintain their family and other personal relationships.
- Supporting individuals to carry out their caring responsibilities for their children.
- Supporting with cleaning the household or other domestic tasks, maintaining a safety and habitable home environment.
- Supporting individuals to maintain their health, for example, monitoring or prompting them to take medication.
- Supporting with dressing to ensure individuals are appropriately clothed.
- Supporting with meal preparation.
- Supporting with eating or drinking to maintain nutrition (note: not all clients require the PA to support with eating or drinking).
- Supporting with washing or showering or other personal care tasks to maintain personal hygiene (note: not all clients require the PA to deliver personal care).
Person specification: The successful candidate should:
- Have the right to work in the UK. Due to the nature of this position, we are unable to offer sponsorship.
- Be able to commute to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
- Be willing to have an Enhanced DBS check arranged by AoD or the employer.
- Possess good listening and communication skills.
- Have basic literacy and numeracy skills.
- Have some previous experience and understanding when working with disabled or vulnerable people.
- Show respect to, and protect and promote the dignity, privacy, and welfare of their employer.
- Be caring, responsible, and reliable, yet encouraging and enabling.
- Be willing to build up local knowledge and to learn new skills.
- Be able to work on own initiative, to display flexibility and good time management.
- Be punctual.
- Have received or be willing to receive general training such as assisting and moving people, basic life support, fire safety, food safety, health and safety awareness, infection prevention and control, medication management, and safeguarding. AoD will support your employer to provide this training to you.
- You must accept appropriate training assigned to you by your employer to meet their specific needs.
Working schedule: The working schedule of a PA depends on the care and support needs of the disabled client as assessed by the council. We offer PA posts with working hours ranging from 3 hours to 40 hours per week. Some of these posts only require the PA to work on particular weekdays, while others may require the PA to come on weekends only or require weekend availability. Many PAs work for the same employers for many years. The detailed working schedule of a PA is usually with a degree of flexibility and is negotiable between the PA and the client or their representative. Many PAs choose to work part-time so that they can balance their other responsibilities (such as family or study). Other PAs may work for two or more clients of us to build up their hours.
Pay, rights, and benefits: £14.00 – £15.00 per hour (as on 11th October 2024) depending on the personal budget of the client assessed by the council. Since PAs employed by our clients or their representatives are their employees, you will be able to enjoy all the statutory employment rights and benefits. You will be paid by a payroll service company engaged by your employer which will deal with HMRC, usually on a 4-weekly or monthly basis.
Personal Assistant (PA) employer: Action on Disability and Development
Contact Detail:
Action on Disability and Development Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant (PA)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of disabled individuals and the types of support they may require. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current Personal Assistants or those in similar roles. They can provide valuable insights into the job, share their experiences, and may even know of openings that aren't widely advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Consider volunteering or taking part in community activities related to disability support. This not only builds your experience but also shows potential employers your commitment to the role and the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on training opportunities that enhance your skills relevant to being a Personal Assistant. Highlighting any additional training you've completed can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant (PA)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to support individuals in their daily lives.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise skills such as communication, organisation, and empathy. Mention any previous experience working with disabled or vulnerable individuals, as this will strengthen your application.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the specific team at Action on Disability. Use their name if possible, and express your enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of clients.
Proofread Your Documents: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action on Disability and Development
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a Personal Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities listed in the job description, such as supporting individuals with daily tasks and maintaining their well-being.
✨Show Empathy and Communication Skills
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to listen and communicate effectively. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully supported someone, highlighting your caring and responsible nature.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle specific situations, such as managing appointments or assisting with personal care. Think of relevant scenarios beforehand and be ready to discuss how you would approach them.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Initiative
Emphasise your willingness to adapt to different clients' needs and your ability to work independently. Mention any previous experience where you had to be flexible or take the initiative in your role.
