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Employing a PA: recruitment pack, mock templates, and staying safe
User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two well-known examples are Independent Lives (direct payment support and PA recruitment information — see https://www.independentlives.org/ and their recruitment pages under Direct payment support services) and PA Pages (https://pa-pages.org/), which brings together employers, PAs, and training. Access Stamp is independent of both; we link them because many people find their structures useful when building their own paperwork.
At a glance
User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two well-known examples are Independent Lives (direct payment support and PA recruitment information — see https://www.independentlives.org/ and their recruitment pages under Direct payment support services) and PA Pages (https://pa-pages.org/), which brings together employers, PAs, and training. Access Stamp is independent of both; we link them because many people find their structures useful when building their own paperwork.
- Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours,…
- Right to work check record (copies dated, method…
- DBS certificate or application reference + update service…
- Two references, ideally one from a past care…
- Emergency contacts, GP surgery, allergy list, and “do…
- Moving and handling plan, sling ID, and medication…
Practical next steps
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Start here
Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick…
- 2Right to work check record (copies dated, method noted
- 3DBS certificate or application reference + update service invite if used
Quick answer
User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two well-known examples are Independent Lives (direct payment support and PA…
Use this guide if…
- People dealing with pa.
- People dealing with templates.
Common questions
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User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two well-known examples are Independent Lives (direct payment support and PA recruitment information — see https://www.independentlives.org/ and their recruitment pages under Direct payment support services) and PA Pages (https://pa-pages.org/), which brings together employers, PAs, and training. Access Stamp is independent of both; we link them because many people find their structures useful when building their own paperwork.
What to do next
- Read the At a glance section
- Start with step 1
Step-by-step
Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick pay rules, notice). Start here so the rest of the guide has a clear foundation.
User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two well-known examples are Independent Lives (direct payment support and PA…
What this means
- Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick pay rules, notice).
- Watch out: Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick…
- Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.
Practical checklist
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Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
Copy-and-adapt templates
Wording you can paste into email, letters, or conversation notes.
Mock job advert (edit every bracket)
PERSONAL ASSISTANT — [part-time / job share / full-time] [Your town / postcode sector] From £[rate] per hour [e.g. “Evenings 4pm–8pm + alternate Saturday mornings”] About us I am a disabled person who employs my own staff using a direct payment. I need practical, respectful support at home so I can [work / study / parent / manage health appointments — pick what fits]. The role • Personal care: washing, dressing, toileting — following my pacing and dignity preferences. • [Meal preparation / prompting fluids / light kitchen tidy after meals]. • [Prompting medication only / medication administration only after training — delete one line]. • [Domestic: only tasks linked to care, e.g. change bed, laundry related to continence — be explicit]. • Accompanying me to [shops / GP / leisure] when booked in advance. What I am looking for Someone [calm under pressure / confident with hoists / comfortable with pets — edit]. You must respect boundaries: this is a professional relationship, not a friendship or therapy service. Requirements • Experience of [X] preferred; full paid induction and shadow shifts provided. • Right to work in the UK — evidence required before first paid hour. • [Driving licence essential / not required]. To apply Email [address] with CV and a short note (max 300 words) explaining how you meet the person specification. Interviews [dates / “rolling”]. I welcome disabled applicants. Equal opportunities I recruit on merit against the person specification. Reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process are available — ask.
Interview scorecard (mock)
Candidate: _______________ Date: ____ Interviewers: _______________ Score 0–2 each (0=no evidence, 1=partial, 2=strong). Total out of 20. A. Reliability & honesty (punctuality, gaps explained) ___/2 B. Experience relevant to our support plan ___/2 C. Communication & boundaries (respect, clarity) ___/2 D. Moving & handling / health awareness (if applicable) ___/2 E. Medication understanding (prompt vs administer) ___/2 F. Equality & dignity (examples, language used) ___/2 G. Problem scenario responses (see questions below) ___/4 H. Practical availability vs our rota ___/2 Scenario questions (pick 2–3) 1) “I prefer to shower myself but need you to pass items and steady my leg. How would we organise privacy?” 2) “If you arrived and I was unresponsive but breathing, what would you do?” (Look for 999 + recovery position awareness — not amateur diagnosis.) 3) “If another family member started giving you extra tasks mid-shift, how would you handle it?” Notes: _________________________________________________________________ Decision: ☐ Offer ☐ Reject ☐ Second interview Reason: _________________________
New employee / first day induction form (mock)
NEW STARTER INDUCTION — Personal Assistant Employee name: __________________ Start date: __________ Household & access • Address, parking, buzzer code / key safe rules: _________________________________ • Who else lives here; pets; allergies in the home: ________________________________ Safety & equipment • Fire exits, evacuation plan if mobility equipment fails: ___________________________ • Hoist model ______ sling type/colour ________ (attach photo to care file if helpful) • Oxygen / CPAP / epilepsy rescue plan location: ___________________________________ Daily rhythm (tick when explained) ☐ Morning routine priorities ☐ Meal times and dietary texture / allergies ☐ Toilet / commode / pad routine ☐ Medication: prompts only / administration after training (delete one) ☐ How I communicate pain, distress, or “need to cancel tone of day” Boundaries ☐ Mobile phone use during personal care ☐ Guests / additional tasks from relatives — redirect to me ☐ Finishing on time unless pre-agreed extension Signatures Employee signature: _________________ Date: _____ Employer / representative: __________ Date: _____
Timesheet & mileage (simple mock)
WEEK ENDING: ____/____/______
Employee: ________________ Employer ref: __________
Day Start Breaks Finish Total hrs Notes (e.g. accompanied appointment)
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
WEEK TOTAL: ______
Mileage (only if agreed in writing, business insurance confirmed)
Date From / To Miles Rate p/mile £
TOTAL £: ______
Employee declaration: I confirm these hours are accurate.
Signed: ______________ Date: ______
Employer approval: ______________ Date: ______Common mistakes
- Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick pay rules, notice).
- Right to work check record (copies dated, method noted — follow https://www.gov.uk/ ).
- DBS certificate or application reference + update service invite if used.
If they refuse, delay, or ignore you
- Keep notes and ask for decisions in writing.
- Use the related detailed guide when you are ready for the next step.
Access Stamp AI
Need help applying "Employing a PA: recruitment pack, mock templates, and staying safe" to your situation? Ask about any step, evidence, or wording — the same way you would with our detailed PIP and workplace guides.
At a glance
- User-led charities and regional direct-payment support services often publish recruitment packs, training, and PA matching tools. Two…
- Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title, holiday, sick pay rules, notice).
- Right to work check record (copies dated, method noted — follow https://www.gov.uk/ ).
- Evidence that helps: Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title,…
- Avoid: Signed contract or written statement of particulars (hours, pay, location, job title,…
Helpful templates
- Mock job advert (edit every bracket)Download not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.
- Interview scorecard (mock)Download not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.
- New employee / first day induction form (mock)Download not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.
- Timesheet & mileage (simple mock)Download not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.