Employing a PA: recruitment pack, mock templates, and staying safe

Mock job advert (edit every bracket)

When you need wording you can copy and adapt for email, letter, or conversation.

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)

When you need wording you can copy and adapt for email, letter, or conversation.

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)

When you need wording you can copy and adapt for email, letter, or conversation.

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)

When you need wording you can copy and adapt for email, letter, or conversation.

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: ______

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: ______