Become a Personal Assistant (PA)

PA training

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Personal Assistants training - video transcript (PDF, 99.9kb)

How to become a PA

How to become a Personal Assistant in the care sector transcript (PDF, 105.4kb)

PA induction training

As a personal assistant you'll work directly with one or more individuals to help them with various aspects of their daily life, to help them live as independently as possible. 

The role of a personal assistant is extremely varied, and no two jobs will ever be the same. This is because the individual employer can choose exactly how they want you to support them. You'll be employed directly by an individual who's managing and paying for their own care through a social care direct payment or personal budget. 

Who the course is for

You do not necessarily need any qualifications to become a Personal Assistant. What's important is that you're a kind, compassionate and thoughtful person. Your employer might ask that you have qualifications showing good English and numeracy skills such as GCSE A to C in English and maths. It might also be helpful to have a social care qualification such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Do not worry if you do not have these qualifications you can work towards them once you start the job.

This course is also suitable if you are already working as Personal Assistant and wanting to refresh your knowledge and skills. 

What you will learn

The course will cover the following:

• what is a Personal Assistant?
• safeguarding
• Infection control
• Level 2 Food Safety
• emergency first aid
• free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

At the end of the course you will be given details of how to register as a Personal Assistant and how to find and apply to current vacancies. 

How you will learn

We deliver both online sessions and classroom based training supplemented by home study and elearning supported by our tutors.

Benefits

Beyond this there could be opportunities to progress by doing a vocational qualification such as a Diploma in Health and Social Care or a continuing professional development qualification such as dementia, end of life, or autism care. There may also be opportunities to progress into senior Personal Assistant roles where you're responsible for organising rotas, training or wages, or you may choose to go into other roles such as advocacy worker, care worker or rehabilitation worker 

Skills for Care: personal assistant

Course start dates and times

This course will be delivered face to face in community venues.

If you would like to find out more about any of the courses or would like to enrol please complete the Personal Assistant expression of interest form 

See  Care Academy courses for a wide range of other courses available to Personal Assistants which can be studied via blended learning. This includes accredited qualifications which can support career progression.