Personal assistants

Personal Assistants who work in care are not employed by a care agency but are employed directly by the person they support. 

They may be employed by: 

• A Personal budget holder or direct payment recipient - someone who is eligible for support and funding from social care or health services.
• A Self funder - someone who uses their own money to fund their care.
• A family member or representative - when the person who requires support does not have the mental capacity to be the employer.

If you employ a personal assistant using direct payments, you become their employer with the same legal responsibilities as any employer.

Information, support and advice is always available to guide you through the different stages of becoming an employer and then help you to be a good employer.