PA Employer Information

Partner2Care will work with you to develop job descriptions and person specifications should you need this support. We can provide template job descriptions for you. Please view our sample PA job description and person specification template. Your job descriptions should list the type of activities or tasks that you would like your personal assistants to help you with or do for you. Your personal specification needs to identify the qualities, skills, knowledge and experience that you need from your personal assistants. It's a good idea to think about the personal qualities you want to find in your PA, for example loves animals, easy-going approach.

Partner2Care will work with you to develop an advert to advertise on your behalf in newspapers, job centres, online, colleges and other local resources. Please view our sample job advert.

Once you have informed the person you wish to employ, you must let them know that you need to check their references and carry out a DBS check before they can start working for you. Please view our sample letter requesting a reference and our template reference request form. Partner2Care can assist with collating references on your behalf. Please download our sample letters – offering the position and unsuccessful candidate.

You will need to 'shortlist' the applicants by looking at their application forms (download our template forms Part A and Part B) or CVs and selecting those who meet your job description and personal specification best, remembering to take into account the Equalities Act 2010 to ensure you are not discriminating against any applicants. Download our shortlisting form to assist you. View a sample letter inviting an applicant to interview. Prepare for your interview by having your questions (which can be based on your job description) ready, such as “Why might you want to work for me?” and “What relevant experience and qualifications do you have?” Partner2Care are happy to work with you to develop your questions. Please view our interview checklist. It is usually best to interview with another person to get a second point of view. Partner2Care are happy to support you in being your second person or alternatively you may wish to have a family member or friend with you.

All employees within the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks annual leave pro rata. For specific leave entitlement please refer to individual PA's contracts of employment. If PA hours change, please advise us so we can issue a new contract with the amended entitlement.

As an employer we ask you keep a record of how much leave PAs take and how much leave they have left throughout the holiday year (1st April-31st March). However, we also keep records and can advise you.

Any leave not used by 31st March will NOT be carried forward or paid unless agreed under exceptional circumstances.

PartnerCare can provide a payroll service to ensure that your personal assistant's tax, NI, holiday pay and pension contributions are deducted correctly and advise you on rates of pay. You must pay at least the National minimum wage.

Yes. This will ensure you and your PAs have an agreed obligation to each other to meet the requirements set out in your contract.
Partner2care can assist you with drawing up a contract of employment between you and your employees. View an example Contract of Employment.
Your contract agreement gives details of employment rights, responsibilites and duties and must be provided within 2 months of taking on your new PA. You should include a probationery period, notice period, employment start date and place of work i.e your home, salary, hours of work, sick leave and pay, holiday entitlement, pensions, maternity leave and pay, disciplinary* and dismissal procedure, confidentiality, cover i.e if you are admitted in to hospital and the notice period of termination of the employment.

*Download our sample invite to disciplinary hearing letter.

You have a legal responsibilty to ensure your PA is safe and healthy whilst working with you. This means having the right insurance cover (see above), talking to your PA about health and safety i.e fire and carrying out risk assessments on your home including pets. Download our sample risk assessment form. You should set up a record of any accidents that happen in your home.

If you employ more than 5 people, you will need a Health and Safety Policy to safeguard you and your PAs.
Partner2Care can help you draw up your own Health & Safety Policy.‍

The Health and Safety Executive website and helpline can help you with information and a policy template.