Where to Find a Personal Assistant

Once you've decided to hire your own Personal Assistant, the next question is simple: where do you actually find one?

There are several ways to find a PA, from specialist websites and local councils to care agencies and personal recommendations. The right option depends on how much choice and control you want over the recruitment process.

1. PA Pool

If you're looking for a private Personal Assistant, PA Pool is designed specifically to connect clients and PAs directly. You can create a profile describing the support you need, search for PAs based on their experience and availability, and contact people directly. You choose who you want to speak to and ultimately who you want to work with.

Unlike a traditional care agency, PA Pool doesn't take a commission from your PA's wages or charge you an ongoing percentage of their pay. This means more of your available funding can go towards paying your PA, rather than paying an agency to manage the relationship.

You also have much more control over the arrangement. You can discuss the hours, rate, responsibilities and working relationship directly with your PA and find someone who is a good personal fit.

If you're using a Direct Payment or Personal Budget, making the most of the funding available to you can be particularly important. Read How Can You Pay for a Personal Assistant? and Agency Care vs Personal Assistants for more information.

Create a PA Pool client profile and start searching for Personal Assistants.

2. Your local council

If you receive social care support or a Direct Payment, your local council may be able to help you find a PA.

Some councils maintain lists of local Personal Assistants or can point you towards organisations that help people recruit their own support. The amount of help available varies between councils, so it's worth asking your social care or Direct Payment team what is available in your area.

Your council may also be able to provide advice about becoming an employer, payroll and managing your Direct Payment.

3. Care agencies

Care agencies are another common way to arrange support. However, it's important to understand that not all agencies work in the same way.

A managed care agency employs the care workers and manages the service for you. The agency usually handles recruitment, payroll, training, rotas and finding replacement staff when someone is unavailable. You pay the agency for the overall service rather than employing the individual PA yourself.

An introductory agency or matching service works differently. They may introduce you to potential PAs or carers, but you then have a direct relationship with the person providing your support. Depending on the service, you may become the PA's employer and take on the associated responsibilities.

Always check exactly what an agency provides, who employs the PA and what fees or commissions are charged before agreeing to anything.

4. Personal recommendations

Sometimes the best way to find a PA is simply through word of mouth. Friends, family, other disabled people, local support groups and disability organisations may be able to recommend someone they have worked with. Your existing PA may also know someone who is looking for work.

Recommendations can be a great starting point, but you should still carry out your own recruitment checks. Ask for references, check the person's right to work and consider whether a DBS check is appropriate for the role.

Our guide to References, DBS Checks and Right to Work explains more.

Which option is right for you?

There isn't one right way to find a PA.

A managed agency can be useful if you want someone else to handle recruitment and employment. An introductory service can give you access to potential PAs while allowing you to manage the relationship directly. Your local council may offer additional support, particularly if you receive a Direct Payment.

If you want maximum choice and control over who supports you, while keeping more of your funding available to pay your PA, a direct recruitment platform such as PA Pool can be a good option. You can choose who you contact, compare different candidates and build a working relationship directly with the person who will be supporting you.

For more help with the recruitment process, see The Complete Guide to Hiring a Personal Assistant in the UK, or create your PA Pool profile to start looking for your PA today.