In response to both a city wide and a national need for more Personal Assistants (PA’s) due to the impact of the Coronavirus, Choices and Rights is hosting a new PA Emergency Response Database.

If you’re looking for a career change in 2022, you could make a difference to your life and the lives of others ever by beginning a career in care.

The PA Emergency Response Database will be there for people who need to employ personal assistants urgently to enable them to leave hospital or prevent them going into residential or respite care. A PA Emergency Response Database is not an agency, but a list of PAs who are available for work. It will also include adverts from employers (known as individual employers) who are looking to recruit a personal assistant. The PA Emergency Response Database will provide useful information about finding and recruiting Personal Assistants as well as other relevant information for both individual employers and Personal Assistants and runs alongside our existing PA Database. It can make finding a Personal Assistant (PA) or employer easier and more flexible.

The purpose of the Emergency response database is:

  • To hold the details of Personal Assistants who are available to work short notice or willing to undertake short contract positions.

  • To directly advertise these vacancies to the Pas registered.

In order to be registered on the PA Emergency Response Database, PAs must complete the included form and return to Choices and Rights.

This information includes contact details, skills and availability.

When we receive an urgent vacancy, we will send the details to all PA’s on the PA Emergency Response Database. The PA’s then can then contact us to register their interest and give their consent to pass their contact details to the employer.

FAQS Can Be found below:

Emergency Response Database

  • Here you can write any additional information that you think would help you in support of becoming a short notice emergency PA. Or you can sent a CV/Cover letter to esw@choicesandrights.org.uk
  • The information you provide on this form will be accessed by Hull PA Network – hosted by Choices and Rights Disability Coalition, and disabled or older people (or their representative) who wish to employ a Personal Assistant. Statistical, anonymous information may be gathered by Choices and Rights Disability Coalition for the purpose of monitoring funding. CARDC needs to hold and process Personal Data about individuals applying for jobs via the PA database. Once received, your application will be forwarded to the prospective employer. Your application is not shared with any individual or organisation unless there is a legitimate reason for doing so. In respect of your PA application, we rely on the fact that you are providing your consent for CARDC to hold this information in order to share it with the service user/s (your prospective employer). When you apply for a job with one of our service users, we need all the categories of information contained in your application so we can fulfil our contract with you, as well as enable us to comply with our legal obligations. In some cases, we may use your personal information to pursue legitimate interests of our own, or those of third parties. We process your information in order to send your application to the service user (prospective employer), so that they can be supported to · make a decision about your recruitment and/or appointment; · determine the terms of your employment for the service user; · check that you are legally entitled to work in the UK. If you are successfully appointed, addition information will be required. A separate privacy statement is available in respect of your employment. Normally your personal data would only be shared with the service user who is looking to appoint a PA, however, during shortlisting or interviewing, that service user may be accompanied by others such as Health and Social Care Professionals or other representatives. The administrator of your personal data will be Choices and Rights Disability Coalition Detailed information on the processing of personal data can be found in our privacy policy or by contacting us and requesting a copy.
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What is a Personal Assistant (PA)?

A Personal Assistant (sometimes called a PA or a support worker) is employed by people who need social care, either because of their age or disability, to enable them to live as independently as possible.

Personal assistants carry out a wide range of tasks as required by the employer, including support with tasks such as washing and getting dressed, cooking, feeding, and supporting people to go out and about so they have greater independence and the ability to live their life more fully. The key skills needed for being a PA are the ability to listen, be flexible and show a willingness to learn and respond.

A PA is usually employed by people who are directing their own care through a direct payment or personal health budgets from the local authority, health services, or are funding their own support. Personal Assistants can be employed directly by one employer, can work for a number of different people. The job can be very flexible, offering part-time and full time work on different days and at different times

How we help people find the right Personal Assistant.

As part of the Direct Payment Support Scheme we have developed a bespoke database of potential Personal Assistants (PAs). We have a growing number of local people in the Hull and East Riding area who are potential PAs on the database, and advertise vacancies on a daily basis. This has assisted many people to develop a career within the Care sector, and also attracts a wide range of candidates of all ages and backgrounds.

Is the PA Database an agency?

No, we are not an agency. We do not match the PA to employer nor do we employ the PA’s directly. The PA will be employed by the disabled person or their representative. In order to be put forward for positions the PA will have to consent to share their information. We are not a matching/employment agency.

Is there a chance these positions become permanent?

Yes, subject to funding it may develop that some of the positions become permanent roles. Contract length/days/weeks will be discussed at interview.

 What is a Personal Assistants Job role?

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.

  • to get about in the community, by providing transport, driving their car or using public transport

  • to maintain hobbies and interests, like going to the cinema, gigs, swimming or going on holiday

  • to communicate their wants and needs

  • by carrying out household tasks like cooking, cleaning, meal preparation, shopping, organising paperwork, and, in some cases, pet care

  • by providing personal care, including support to dress, wash and bathe

Not all personal assistants will be employed to carry out all of these tasks – it may be that your employer wants support with just one of these tasks. Quite often the role can be about companionship and having a shared interest in things like music, politics or sport.

Who can be Personal Assistant?

When employing a personal assistant, individual employers often look for someone who is a good personal fit. It’s not always about previous experience and qualifications – what’s really important is that you have the right values and skills to do the job

What skills are needed to be a Personal Assistant?

There are also some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include

·        the ability to work on your own initiative

·        good listening and communication skills

·        flexibility and time management

·        good interpersonal skills to work with someone on a one to one basis.

What hours can I expect to work?


Your working hours will be decided by your employer and will be set out in your contract of employment. This can range from a few hours a week to a full working week. Quite often, employers are looking for some flexibility within an agreed number of hours.

 What do I get paid?

Your employer will agree with you the rate of pay and how often you’ll be paid and it is also advertised on the vacancy

 Will I get a payslip?

Yes, by law you must receive a payslip.

 Who pays me?

Your employer will be responsible for paying you, they will do that through a payroll service.

Can I work with more than one person?

If so, do I have to tell my current employer? Yes, you can be employed by more than one person. You should tell your current employer if you plan to do a second job, so that they can make sure they follow any regulations, like The Working Time Directive.

 

 

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