Care services minister unveils new plans for personal assistants

More career development opportunities are to be made available for personal assistants (PAs) who work with people with disabilities, under plans announced yesterday.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said the Department of Health wants to make it easier for people who have a disability to take on a PA, so that they can live a full life.

A new document, called A Framework for Personal Assistants, has been published, which looks at offering universal support for people with care needs and the PAs they employ.

The publication also looks at setting out a clear job description for the role of a PA who works for a person with disabilities.

Mr Burstow said: “Many company executives would describe their PA as a life-saver, but for those who employ a personal assistant for their social care needs, they really do give them back their life.”

The news comes just days after the government found that 17 per cent of people claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are able to do some work, so long as they are offered the right support and help.