What is a personal assistant (PA)?

If you’re finding it difficult to care for yourself, you may want to get some support from a PA. This could be because of your age, a physical or learning disability, or poor general health,.

A PA (sometimes called a support worker) is someone who’s paid to help people who need social care support. This helps them to live as independently as possible.

Many people choose to employ a PA because they need the consistent, ongoing support that their own PA can provide.

How a PA can help

PAs can offer you all kinds of support in your own home. This includes:

• personal care - help with feeding, bathing and toileting
• healthcare - catheter management, giving medication
• help to live independently - making meals, cooking, health and safety, cleaning, shopping
• help to take part in social and leisure activities - taking you on holiday or to appointments, providing interest and activities
• helping to look after children

If you'd like more details or for help to find a PA, email brokeragesupport@barnsley.gov.uk or call (01226) 772425.