Claire Morgan 20/09/2024 News

Personal experiences:

The Personal Assistant’s role

One of our Board Members, Paul Sutton has shared his experience of being a Personal Assistant (PA). Paul has another full time job too.

PAs are employed by people who have been assessed as needing support. The person is given money to buy their own support instead of being given a service. In some areas there are organisations who can help to recruit PAs.

“I like working with a person who has real control and choices. I know that if I’m not suitable I can be stopped from working

Another great attraction for me when working as a PA is that I don’t have to sit through a long staff handover meeting before starting and I don’t have to write a report after each planned session.

When I start work, I get an update from the Father of the person I support, and I give an update in the same way when the session finishes.

If the person I support is unwell or tired we simply arrange an alternative time between us. It’s really easy, person-centred and flexible.

I love that I always know who I’ll be working with. This is often different for support workers in services. They may work with a lot of different people, and are often allocated the people they are supporting at the start of each shift!

I would describe myself as a ‘loner’ by choice and the PA allows me to select activities with people who share this preference.

Some PAs work full time, but lots work part time like me.

The kind of things that PA’s do include support with personal care, taking part in activities, providing companionship, driving, cleaning or shopping.

I think some people with learning disabilities who get direct payments may like to have a PA. Having a PA can give choice and control to the person needing support.

I also think that some people with a learning disability could do a paid PA job”.

What do you think?

Would you like to learn more about having a PA or doing a PA job? Let All Wales People First  know.

Paul Sutton – Board Member, All Wales People First