Discovering the rewards of a customised care role

Published: Friday 13 November 2026

Attendees at a Personal Assistant (PA) awareness event in September 2026.

People of all ages and backgrounds have learnt about a social-care role that can be a huge benefit to people needing tailored, day-to-day support and offers paid and flexible employment.

Personal Assistants (PAs) are paid carers who work directly for an individual who has been assessed as needing support.

They work with people with a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities, mental health issues and learning disabilities, as well as with older people and families, providing support in the home or community.

An event at Whitehills Neighbourhood Centre, Hamilton, offering information on all aspects of the role attracted large numbers of both prospective PAs and people looking to employ a PA.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, said: “PA roles offer flexible, paid work while playing a vital role in helping people live independently and make everyday choices and, as a result, they are growing in demand.

“Personal Assistants are hugely important in supporting people to live as individuals and with dignity, and we’re passionate about promoting a job like this that offers such purpose, job satisfaction and the chance to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“This event offered a chance to learn how to help as, or be helped by, a Personal Assistant and I was delighted to see how many people came along to find out more because there are so many who could benefit from it and who I hope will now grasp that opportunity.”

A selection of stalls offered information on all aspects of the PA role and speakers from four organisations dedicated to supporting the PA network – Self-Directed Support Scotland, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL), Personal Assistants Network Scotland (PANS) and South Lanarkshire Council – talked about all aspects of working as or employing a PA and how to get involved.

Louise Docherty, SDS Team Lead (Lanarkshire) at GCIL, said: “Spending time with Personal Assistants and their employers was both inspiring and rewarding, highlighting the positive impact that person-centred support and strong working relationships can have on people's lives.

“We look forward to continuing to support South Lanarkshire’s communities by promoting independence and helping people achieve the outcomes that matter to them.”

Becoming a social care Personal Assistant does not require formal qualifications, and anyone interested can find out more on the council’s website.