Self-directed support (SDS)

What is a Personal Assistant?

In social care, Personal Assistants (also known as PAs) are paid carers. Their work is similar to the work of a carer or a support worker, but PAs work directly for the disabled person.

The employers of PAs in South Lanarkshire are people who the council, or the Independent Living Fund, have assessed as needing assistance in day-to-day life. Personal Assistants can support a variety of people, including people with disabilities, people with mental health issues, older people, people with learning disabilities and parents or carers of children.

PAs work across a range of places: in a disabled person’s home or in the community: wherever the PA employer needs support.

The two videos below shows the value of the role of Personal Assistant.

Self-directed Support Joan's Story

Using SDS Option 1 to employ Personal Assistants

What qualifications, values and skills do PAs need?

To become a PA, you do not require any particular qualifications or training. Your employer may provide training opportunities, and there are other routes through which you might want to gain knowledge and experience relevant for the support you provide.

Because the PA role focuses on helping people achieve independent living, it is important that you are fully supportive of the principle that all people should be included in society and should be able to live their independent life. 

The role of PA often requires you having strong people skills, specifically the ability to listen and communicate. Many supported people looking to employ a PA will be interested in the range of life skills and interests that you might bring to a role.

Disclosure Scotland run the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which helps make sure that people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot work with these vulnerable groups. Most PAs are legally required to be members of the PVG scheme. 

Further information about PAs and the PVG scheme can be found through the link below:

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG): For PAs - The SDS Handbook

Where would I find PA jobs advertised?

Personal Assistant vacancies are advertised on behalf of private employers through GCIL South Lanarkshire, a commissioned Self-Directed Support (SDS) service funded by South Lanarkshire Council. These roles offer rewarding work, helping people live independently at home and in their communities. Explore PA opportunities today on Find a Job.

What support is there for people who work as PAs?

There’s lots of information on the role of Personal Assistants in the PA Handbook:

The PA Handbook - The SDS Handbook

There is a resource designed specifically for Personal Assistants, called the Personal Assistants Network Scotland, or PANS. PANS offers Personal Assistants information about employment, training, health and wellbeing, news and events as well as exclusive offers including access to the Blue Light Card. 

PA Network Scotland