Council launches Personal (Care) Assistants recruitment campaign

Cheshire East Council has launched a new campaign to support the recruitment of personal assistants.

These new roles will support people with care needs who choose to receive council direct payments.

Direct payments are a way for people to receive their council care funding as a cash payment, which they can then use to purchase their own care and support services.

These payments give people more choice and control over their care and allows them to employ PAs who are best suited to their individual needs.

The council is supporting the recruitment of PAs with a range of skills and experience, who can provide:

• Personal care and support, such as bathing and dressing
• Help with household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping
• Support to family members when they need respite or a break
• Provide companionship and support to help people participate in their communities.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, adults and health committee chair at Cheshire East Council, said:

“We are excited to launch this new campaign to recruit PAs who are passionate about helping people with care needs to live their best lives.

“A PA is involved in many aspects of a person’s life, and they can really focus on the needs of that person and develop a good relationship with them.

“Being a PA can also be a very rewarding and flexible role, supporting individuals to live in a way they choose and to remain as independent as possible.

“We believe that everyone deserves to have choice and control over their own care, and PAs play a vital role in making this possible.”

Emma is a personal assistant for her mum who has advanced dementia and employs two personal assistants to provide the 24-hour care needed. 

Emma said:

The PAs help me to support my mum with personal care, medication, meal preparation and night-time cover. 

“Together they make sure mum is happy, content and well cared for. 

“It’s so important to have the right skills for the role, such as compassion, understanding, patience and respect.

“Working on an individual basis, in a person’s own home, can be much more personal and enables them to provide the best possible care.”

To learn more about the PA recruitment campaign and to apply, please visit: 

Working as a Personal Assistant (cheshireeast.gov.uk) 

...or alternatively, please email: 

directpayments@cheshireeast.gov.uk 

...and provide your full name and contact number.

Once we receive your email, we’ll be in touch and advise you of the next steps.