Looking after your wellbeing as a PA

This article looks specifically at PA wellbeing. It explores what wellbeing means and why it matters. It considers what factors could impact on your wellbeing as a PA, and has tips to help you look after your wellbeing.

What do we mean by wellbeing?

It can be hard to define ‘wellbeing’ in a way that everyone understands. But most people think of wellbeing as a combination of feeling good in yourself, and being able to function well in your day to day life.

Wellbeing is shaped by lots of factors including physical health, mental health, relationships, money, the environment you live in and the barriers you face every day.

You may want to think about what wellbeing means to you in your life and your work.

Why is wellbeing important?

Wellbeing is important to achieve a good quality of life. It also contributes to more positive experiences at work.
PA work has the potential to be very rewarding and meaningful. It can also be challenging and complex. Our work life makes up an important part of our overall wellbeing and can ‘spill over’ into our personal lives.

PAs have free access to the National Wellbeing Hub for Personal Assistants.

What influences wellbeing?

In Scotland, some recent research on the wellbeing of PAs found the key factors that impact on PA wellbeing. These are described below, with some top tips for PAs on how to support your wellbeing.

The job itself

PA work can be highly specialised, medically complex, physically challenging, and emotionally demanding. Research also shows that PAs often have high levels of job satisfaction, and value the ways they can support their employers. The PA role can be misunderstood by the public and other professionals, so PAs can feel invisible and undervalued. This also reflects how society undervalues disabled people.

PA tip: be open to thinking through with your employer how best to be introduced to others, especially to members of professional groups. You can also access the free elearning module, Understanding the Value of Personal Assistants to help you learn more about the uniqueness of the PA role.

Employment conditions

Employment conditions have a huge impact on wellbeing. Some PAs have insecure work, lower pay, and limited access to promotion. PA employers are often limited by how much funding they get from the local authority.

PA tip: Through membership of PA Network Scotland (PANS), PAs can access a range of benefits including independent advice on employment, signposting to supporting organisations, information about employment rights and access to discounted union membership

Training and support

PAs often lack access to adequate training and support. The evidence suggests that access to training programmes is likely to support PA wellbeing, though it could also risk undermining PA employer choice and control. Some PA employers may want to go on training with their PAs, some may prefer that their PAs do training or their own, and some employers may wish to train PAs themselves

Isolation

The PA role can be isolating at times, particularly when PAs aren’t part of a wider team. Lone working can come with risks to wellbeing, and means that PAs don’t have the same access to peer support as many other workers.

PA tip: Joining PA Network Scotland (PANS) enables PAs to be part of a Scotland-wide support organisation for PAs. PAs can also link up with local Self-Directed Support organisations to be signposted to local PA networks, such as Facebook Groups, Whatsapp Groups, Centres for Inclusive Living and carers centres.

Relationships

Relationships between PAs and their employers are important to wellbeing for both. The strong relationships between PA employers and PAs can mean higher trust, closer connection and collaboration. But it can also be a source of frustration and conflict. PAs must also navigate relationships with other professionals, and sometimes with family carers or the partners of the people they support.

PA tip: It is often much easier to resolve relationship challenges between PA employers and PAs as soon as they come up, rather than waiting until they get more serious. PAs and their employers can access a one-off free mediation session through PANS.

You can also access the Healthy Working Relationships elearning module to learn more about how to build a strong relationship with your employer.

Next steps

Find out more about wellbeing and access the Resources below.

Part of
Last Updated
27 March 2025
First Published
27 March 2025
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Resources

PA Induction

An induction is where you learn about your job, like where to find things you will need and what is expected of you. It usually happens when you first start in your new role. See what can be covered in an Induction process and what to expect when starting a new role as a PA.

Training for PAs

New/Updated
Some PA roles require training but every role is different. Sometimes that training must be done, for example to prevent injury if your employer needs support with moving, and in these cases your employer is responsible for ensuring you do it.

Your Health and Safety as a PA

Find out about the measures your employer should take to look after your health and safety at work.

ID Badges for PAs

The PA Network Scotland offers free ID badges to all PAs working in Scotland. Find out how to order yours.

Looking after your wellbeing as a PA

Hot topic
New/Updated
This article looks specifically at PA wellbeing. It explores what wellbeing means and why it matters. It considers what factors could impact on your wellbeing as a PA, and has tips to help you look after your wellbeing.

Where to get support as a PA

New/Updated
Organisations that PAs can go to for additional information, advice and support on a range of issues

Where to Get Advice on Employment Issues

Sometimes when you think you've been treated unfairly, the good legal advice is important. You should always try to resolve an issue in the workplace if you can, and support networks can help. When this process fails you may need to find employment legal advice.

Getting help to sort out problems

New/Updated
Find out what help Personal Assistants and PA Employers can get if they have any problems managing their relationship.

Trade Union Membership

New/Updated
Trade unions are groups of employees who join together to protect and improve their working conditions. Find out how trade union membership could benefit you as a PA.

Payroll Services in Scotland

Employing a PA brings with it certain legal and financial responsibilities. Therefore, PA employers may use a payroll service to help them, for example, calculate how much tax and National Insurance their PAs should pay.

Where to Look for PA Jobs

Find out about the best places to look for PA vacancies.

Preparing for a job interview as a PA

Hints and tips on what to expect if you are invited for an interview as a PA.

Moving from Benefits to Starting Work as a PA

If you are considering moving from benefits to starting work as a PA, you may have questions about what this means. Find out more and learn where to get help moving into work.

Being Employed as a PA by a Family Member

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It is possible for a PA to be employed by a family member to provide care and support to them. However, this is still seen as an 'exceptional circumstance', which means it wouldn't normally happen unless it is for specific reasons.

Your Rights as an Unpaid Carer when Working

Knowing your rights as a carer when you are employed

Support for PAs who are also unpaid carers

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You may be working as a Personal Assistant and also support someone else in your life, unpaid - like a family member or friend. This article explains what support is available to you if you are an unpaid carer.

Pensions for Personal Assistants

Information about pensions for Personal Assistants, including when you may be eligible for automatic enrolment in a workplace pension.