The Complete Guide to Hiring a Personal Assistant in the UK

Hiring a Personal Assistant can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be. This guide walks you through every stage of the process, from deciding whether employing a PA is right for you to writing a job advert, interviewing candidates and becoming an employer. Along the way, you'll find links to more detailed guides on each topic.

IN THIS GUIDE:

✓ What is a Personal Assistant?
✓ Is Employing Your Own PA Right for You?
✓ How Can You Pay for a Personal Assistant?
✓ Where to Find a Personal Assistant
✓ Interviewing Personal Assistant Candidates
✓ Trial Shifts: Finding the Right Fit
✓ Becoming an Employer
✓ Finding Emergency Cover
✓ Building a Successful Working Relationship
✓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Personal Assistant?

A Personal Assistant (PA) is someone employed to provide practical support to a person who needs assistance with everyday life. Every role is different and is tailored to the individual's needs, preferences and lifestyle.

A PA may help with personal care, household tasks, preparing meals, shopping, attending appointments, getting out in the community, work or study, or other day-to-day activities. Some Personal Assistants provide just a few hours of support each week, while others work full-time or live in the person's home.

Unlike agency care, a Personal Assistant is employed directly by the individual or their representative, creating a more personalised, one-to-one working relationship. Their role is to provide support that enables the person to live as independently as possible while respecting their choices, routines and way of life.

➡️ Read our full guide: What is a Personal Assistant?

Is Employing Your Own PA Right for You?

Choosing between employing your own Personal Assistant and using a care agency is an important decision, and the right option will depend on your individual needs and circumstances.

Many people choose to employ their own PA because it offers greater choice, flexibility and continuity. You decide who supports you, when they work and how your care is delivered. Building a long-term relationship with the same person can also create trust and provide more personalised support.

However, employing your own PA also comes with responsibilities. As an employer, you may need to arrange contracts, payroll, insurance and holiday cover, although many people receive support with these tasks through their local authority or payroll services.

Using a care agency can be a simpler option, as the agency manages recruitment, staffing and administration. However, you may have less choice over who provides your support and may see different carers from week to week.

➡️ Read our full guide: Agency Care vs Employing Your Own Personal Assistant

How Can You Pay for a Personal Assistant?

There are several ways to fund a Personal Assistant, depending on your circumstances. Many people use Direct Payments from their local authority, which allow you to arrange and manage your own care instead of receiving council-organised services. Others may receive a Personal Health Budget through the NHS if they have ongoing healthcare needs.

You can also choose to employ a Personal Assistant using your own funds if you don't qualify for public funding or simply prefer to arrange support independently.

Each funding option has its own rules and responsibilities, so it's important to understand what support is available and what it means for you as an employer.

➡️ Read our full guide: What Are Direct Payments? A Simple Guide

Where to Find a Personal Assistant

There are several ways to find a Personal Assistant, including recommendations from friends or family, local disability organisations, social media groups and specialist recruitment websites.

Using a dedicated platform like PA Pool can make the process easier by allowing you to browse PA profiles, advertise your role and connect directly with potential candidates. This gives you the opportunity to find someone whose skills, experience and personality are the right fit for your needs.

Whichever method you choose, taking the time to recruit carefully will help you build a successful, long-term working relationship.

➡️ Read our full guide: Where to Find a Personal Assistant in the UK

Interviewing Personal Assistant Candidates

Interviewing is your opportunity to get to know each candidate beyond what's written on their application. A conversation can help you assess their communication style, personality and whether they'll be a good fit for your support needs.

We recommend speaking with candidates before arranging any trial shifts or offering the role. If meeting in person isn't practical, a video call is a great alternative, allowing you to ask questions, discuss the role and get a better sense of whether you're likely to work well together.

Remember, finding the right Personal Assistant isn't just about skills and experience—it's about building a relationship based on trust, respect and compatibility.

➡️ Read our full guide: How to Interview a Personal Assistant

References, DBS Checks and Right to Work

Before offering someone the role, it's important to carry out a few basic checks. Asking for references can help you understand a candidate's previous experience and reliability, while a DBS check may be appropriate depending on the nature of the role. You should also ensure that anyone you employ has the legal right to work in the UK.

These checks can help you recruit with confidence and provide reassurance that you've taken sensible steps before making your decision.

➡️ Read our full guide: Essential Checks Before Employing a Personal Assistant

Trial Shifts: Finding the Right Fit

At PA Pool, we strongly recommend arranging a trial shift before making a final decision. While interviews are important, spending time together in a real-life setting is often the best way to see whether you're a good match.

A trial shift gives both you and the candidate the opportunity to see how you communicate, work together and whether you're comfortable with each other. It can also help identify any practical considerations that may not have come up during the interview.

Choosing a Personal Assistant is about more than skills and experience—it's about finding someone you trust and feel comfortable having as part of your daily life.

➡️ Read our full guide: Why Trial Shifts Matter When Hiring a Personal Assistant

Becoming an Employer

If you decide to employ your own Personal Assistant, you'll usually become their employer. This means you'll have certain legal responsibilities, such as providing an employment contract, paying wages, managing holiday entitlement and ensuring the appropriate insurance and payroll arrangements are in place.

While this may sound daunting, there are organisations and payroll services that can help manage much of the administration, and many people receiving Direct Payments have access to this support.

Understanding your responsibilities from the outset will help you build a positive working relationship and ensure everything is set up correctly.

➡️ Read our full guide: Employing Your Own Personal Assistant: What You Need to Know

Finding Emergency Cover

Even with careful planning, there may be times when your usual Personal Assistant is unavailable at short notice due to illness, a family emergency or other unexpected circumstances. Having a backup plan in place can help ensure you continue to receive the support you need.

Some people arrange a second Personal Assistant who can provide occasional cover, while others temporarily use an agency or rely on trusted family and friends until their usual PA returns.

To make finding last-minute support easier, PA Pool also offers an Emergency section, where eligible Personal Assistants can indicate that they are available for immediate work. This allows you to quickly identify PAs who may be able to step in at short notice when you need urgent cover.

➡️ Read our full guide: How to Find Holiday Cover for Your Personal Assistant
➡️ Read our full guide: Need a Personal Assistant Urgently? Here's What to Do

Building a Successful Working Relationship

A successful PA relationship is built on trust, communication and mutual respect. From the beginning, it's important to set clear expectations, discuss routines and preferences, and encourage open, honest communication.

Regular check-ins can help address any concerns early and ensure both you and your Personal Assistant feel comfortable and supported. Remember, finding the right person is only the first step—maintaining a positive working relationship is what helps it succeed in the long term.

➡️ Read our full guide: Building and Maintaining a Successful Working Relationship with Your Personal Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Hiring a Personal Assistant often raises lots of questions, especially if it's your first time employing someone directly. From funding and recruitment to interviews and employer responsibilities, it's completely normal to want a little extra guidance.

We've answered some of the most common questions to help you feel confident throughout the process. If you can't find the information you're looking for, our team is always happy to help.

➡️ Browse our full FAQ section: Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Personal Assistant

Ready to Find Your Personal Assistant?

Finding the right Personal Assistant can take time, but it's one of the most important decisions you'll make. By taking the time to understand your needs, recruit carefully and choose someone who's the right fit, you'll be well on your way to building a successful, long-term working relationship.

Whether you're just starting your search or ready to advertise your role, PA Pool is here to help.

Create your free Client account or login today to browse Personal Assistant profiles and connect directly with PAs across the UK.