Hiring a Personal Assistant: FAQs

Hiring your own Personal Assistant can give you more choice and control over your support, but it can also raise a lot of questions. How do you find the right person? Do you need a DBS check? How much should you pay? And what happens if your PA is sick or goes on holiday?

Here are some of the most common questions about hiring a Personal Assistant in the UK.

What is a Personal Assistant?

A Personal Assistant, or PA, provides personalised support to help someone live independently and do the things they want to do. Depending on the individual, this could include personal care, household tasks, getting to work or university, attending appointments, shopping, social activities, travel or mobility support.

You can also read What is a Personal Assistant? for a more detailed introduction.

How do I find a Personal Assistant?

You can advertise through job boards, local organisations, word of mouth or a specialist PA platform such as PA Pool. When recruiting, think about what you actually need from your PA before writing your advert. Consider the hours, responsibilities, experience and personality that would make someone a good fit.

For more help, see Where to Find a Personal Assistant.

How much should I pay my Personal Assistant?

As a general guide, PA Pool recommends starting rates of £14+ per hour for PAYE PAs and £16+ per hour for genuinely self-employed PAs.

Live-in PAs are usually paid a daily rate, which can vary significantly depending on the level of support required. PA Pool recommends approximately £120 to £150 per day for lower-level support, £150 to £200 for moderate support and £200 to £300+ for complex support.

Read How Much Should I Pay My Personal Assistant? for more information about rates, expenses and PAYE versus self-employment.

Do I need to employ my PA through PAYE?

Not necessarily. Some PAs are genuinely self-employed, while others are employees.

You shouldn't simply choose whichever option is cheaper. Whether someone is employed or self-employed depends on the actual working relationship. If you employ your PA, you'll have employer responsibilities including payroll, holiday entitlement and other employment requirements.

Read Becoming an Employer to find out more.

Do I need to do a DBS check?

A DBS check isn't automatically required for every PA role, but it can be an important part of safe recruitment, particularly where the role involves personal care or other intimate support. You should also consider references and checking the PA's right to work before they start.

Read References, DBS Checks and Right to Work for more information.

Do I need to interview a PA?

It's strongly recommended.

An interview isn't just about checking whether someone has the right experience. It's also an opportunity to find out whether you get along, discuss your expectations and make sure you are comfortable working together. For a PA role, personal fit can be just as important as qualifications or previous experience.

See Interviewing Personal Assistant Candidates for questions and tips.

Can I ask a PA to do anything I need?

Your PA's responsibilities should be clearly agreed when you hire them.

The role can be very flexible, but you should make sure the tasks you're asking your PA to perform are appropriate, understood by both of you and included in the job description or agreed working arrangements. If your needs change, talk to your PA rather than simply expecting them to take on new responsibilities.

Should I offer a trial shift?

We strongly recommend a trial shift to check whether someone is the right fit. It gives both you and the PA an opportunity to see how you work together in practice before committing to a longer-term arrangement.

Any trial should be properly agreed in advance, including whether it is paid and what the arrangements will be.

Read Trial Shifts: Finding the Right Fit.

What happens if my PA is sick or goes on holiday?

If you employ your own PA, you are responsible for making sure your support continues when they are unavailable. This is one reason many people choose to employ more than one PA. Having a small team can make it much easier to cover holidays, sickness and unexpected gaps. You can also plan ahead for periods when you know your PA will be unavailable.

See Finding Emergency Cover for ideas on managing unexpected gaps.

Can I have more than one PA?

Yes. In fact, having a small team of PAs can be a good way to create more reliable and flexible support. You might have several PAs working different days or shifts, allowing you to have cover when one person is unavailable. The right arrangement depends on your needs, budget and preferred working pattern.

Can I use a Direct Payment to hire a PA?

Yes. A Direct Payment can be used to arrange your own care and support, including employing a Personal Assistant, where this is included within your agreed support plan. Your local authority will determine your Personal Budget and the amount available to you.

Read What Are Direct Payments? A Simple Guide and How Can You Pay for a Personal Assistant?.

Is hiring a PA cheaper than using a care agency?

It can be. When you hire a PA directly, you don't pay an agency to arrange and manage the service. More of your available funding can therefore go towards paying the person who actually provides your support. There can also be significant advantages in terms of flexibility, consistency and choosing who supports you.

Read Agency Care vs Personal Assistants for a detailed comparison.

What are my responsibilities as a PA employer?

If you employ a PA, you become an employer and have responsibilities relating to things such as contracts, payroll, holiday, insurance, pensions and safe recruitment. You don't have to manage everything alone. There are payroll services and support organisations that can help individual employers.

Skills for Care provides a free toolkit and resources for individual employers, including guidance on recruiting, managing and developing PAs.

How do I make sure I find the right PA?

Start by being clear about what you need. Think about the practical requirements of the role, but also consider personality, communication style, interests and values. You're going to spend significant time with your PA, so finding someone who is a good personal fit matters.

Once you've found potential candidates, take the time to interview them, check references and discuss expectations before making a decision.

For a complete overview, read The Complete Guide to Hiring a Personal Assistant in the UK.

Ready to find your Personal Assistant?

PA Pool makes it easy to connect directly with Personal Assistants looking for work across the UK.

Create a client profile on PA Pool and start searching for PAs who match your needs.