Interviewing for a Personal Assistant

jazabelle

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Most agency work 40+ mindbogglingly split shift hours to earn a living and are treat like slaves. Many of these individuals have level 3 NVQ H&SC including IV-DA. Depending on security of a long term job offer at the right pay package many would consider leaving to offer their services. If you can offer the right reward many might consider a part time let alone a full time secure offer. You would however need to find [poach] such staff to come to you from the dark side. My advice would be to have an employment agency find you and pre-interview / DBS / contract of employment / etc a suitable employee - only then should you get on board personally with a 121 interview.

Thanks, but I'm happy employing directly, and am getting lots of support to do this. A charity is helping me. They've done the advert, will DBS check them, will make the contract. So the only thing I have to do is the interview, to choose them - they handle everything else.

jazabelle

For those of you that have, or have had personal assistants, I have some other questions.

I know a lot of this will fit into place when they start, but how do you deal with meals/breaks? They're probably going to be starting around midday, and cooking lunch.

Do you provide food for them? Ask them to bring it? Expect them to eat beforehand? I feel mean if they're cooking lunch for me to not offer any, but I also can't afford to feed another person all the time.

If you've asked them to get you a snack, do you provide one for them too?

What about drinks -do you have a help yourself policy? Ever had someone take it a bit far?

I'm a bit nervous about the whole 'workplace' thing. I want them to be comfortable, but it all feels a bit awkward. I'm probably overthinking things!

Cyclamen

Jazabelle.. my thoughts for what they are worth

My carers came for morning and teatime every day.. they did jobs and got other things ready whilst i ate.. although sometime we snuck out for a pub tea and i treated them, so i have no direct experience of your lunchtime scenario.

When we went out and stopped for a coffee or had entry fee's etc.. i paid.

How long are they coming for? There are regulations on how often people get breaks.. i don't know these anymore but if there just coming for a few hours i wouldn't expect to provide lunch. Plenty of people work 10-2 shifts with just a coffee break etc.

I always had a 'help yoursef to drinks' system and would buy what they drank (I dont drink tea/coffee/real milk so it seemed fair).

If they are entitled to a lunch break you can offer them space in the fridge, a space in cupboard to keep some things for themselves..they can provide these.. i'm thinking cuppa soups, biscuits etc if they want.

I have had agency carers that decided every time i asked for a drink meant they too should come an dsit on the sofa and drink.. you soon lose 20 minutes of work and in a 90 minute visit that is a lot. So I wold make it clear they can help themselvesto a quick brew whilst working and then invite them to join you.

If we were doing paperwork or i am getting help with hobbies, christmas cards or 'table work' i think its only polite to have a drink each on the table.

I was really nervous employing my first PA.. there is so much to think about and its hard to relax when you first get started with one. My first lady is now my closest friend even though i currently live the other end of the country to her.. we soon fell into a routine. I like things fairly informal but do need and expect a lot doing.

After moving my second PA was a school leaver with no care experience and she was also brilliant.. she left for a uni course.

The thing i found the hardest was ending the 'trial period' in other words sacking a PA. It just wasnt working out, i didnt feel comfortable and my needs werent being met.. but she was a lovely girl..a very hard thing to do..

If you have time before they start try to make some lists.. it seems terribly bossy but i found things went easier when we both new exactly what was needed.

So maybe type up some of your favourite meals?

Type a running order for you routine.. mine says things like breakfast before shower. To make the bed an dput clothes out etc so its quicker to dress.. getting something out to defrost for tea.

Routines for equipement etc.. so where my wheelchairs charge, to only use it on low speed in the house, to put the dog in the front room so she doesnt get squashed etc..

A list of general jobs
If there is a letter on the table please post.
put any shopping away on tabel etc
top up dogs water bowl
organise meds, check for repeats etc each week

Put emergency contacts in an obvious but private place.. mine are taped inside cupboard door in kitchen.. just in case

You have to keep reminding yourself that they are here to work for you, they are here to make life more accessible etc.. its ok to ask for X and Y and for things to be done in this order.

As long as you say please and thank you and listen to their input (they may have a better idea that will help) i think it will all go well.

jazabelle

Cyclamen wrote: »

Jazabelle.. my thoughts for what they are worth

My carers came for morning and teatime every day.. they did jobs and got other things ready whilst i ate.. although sometime we snuck out for a pub tea and i treated them, so i have no direct experience of your lunchtime scenario.

When we went out and stopped for a coffee or had entry fee's etc.. i paid.

How long are they coming for? There are regulations on how often people get breaks.. i don't know these anymore but if there just coming for a few hours i wouldn't expect to provide lunch. Plenty of people work 10-2 shifts with just a coffee break etc.

I always had a 'help yoursef to drinks' system and would buy what they drank (I dont drink tea/coffee/real milk so it seemed fair).

If they are entitled to a lunch break you can offer them space in the fridge, a space in cupboard to keep some things for themselves..they can provide these.. i'm thinking cuppa soups, biscuits etc if they want.

I have had agency carers that decided every time i asked for a drink meant they too should come an dsit on the sofa and drink.. you soon lose 20 minutes of work and in a 90 minute visit that is a lot. So I wold make it clear they can help themselvesto a quick brew whilst working and then invite them to join you.

If we were doing paperwork or i am getting help with hobbies, christmas cards or 'table work' i think its only polite to have a drink each on the table.

I was really nervous employing my first PA.. there is so much to think about and its hard to relax when you first get started with one. My first lady is now my closest friend even though i currently live the other end of the country to her.. we soon fell into a routine. I like things fairly informal but do need and expect a lot doing.

After moving my second PA was a school leaver with no care experience and she was also brilliant.. she left for a uni course.

The thing i found the hardest was ending the 'trial period' in other words sacking a PA. It just wasnt working out, i didnt feel comfortable and my needs werent being met.. but she was a lovely girl..a very hard thing to do..

If you have time before they start try to make some lists.. it seems terribly bossy but i found things went easier when we both new exactly what was needed.

So maybe type up some of your favourite meals?

Type a running order for you routine.. mine says things like breakfast before shower. To make the bed an dput clothes out etc so its quicker to dress.. getting something out to defrost for tea.

Routines for equipement etc.. so where my wheelchairs charge, to only use it on low speed in the house, to put the dog in the front room so she doesnt get squashed etc..

A list of general jobs
If there is a letter on the table please post.
put any shopping away on tabel etc
top up dogs water bowl
organise meds, check for repeats etc each week

Put emergency contacts in an obvious but private place.. mine are taped inside cupboard door in kitchen.. just in case

You have to keep reminding yourself that they are here to work for you, they are here to make life more accessible etc.. its ok to ask for X and Y and for things to be done in this order.

As long as you say please and thank you and listen to their input (they may have a better idea that will help) i think it will all go well.

Thanks so much for your input.

The hours aren't quite decided yet, but it will probably be 4-5 hours a day. So legally I think 6 hours is the minimum for an actual break, but obviously I'm not going to be mean about it. All the ones I'm interviewing have declared they don't smoke, so shouldn't need a smoke break.

Midday is quite an awkward time to start, in terms of if you're working. It would mean having an 11am lunch, or not eating until tea-time. I guess saying to them they're more than welcome to bring someone is a good compromise. It's not that I don't want them to eat/drink, but paying for an extra meal every day is a lot of money.

I don't drink hot drinks, but I am constantly thirsty so usually have a water or cold drink. So I guess I will have to have a help yourself policy too.

I am an introvert and enjoy time alone. I also find when I'm around friends or other people, I use every bit of energy I have to talk, and sit up. As soon as they go I will be I bed for hours trying to recover.

There is only one person (my mum) I can be natural around. I guess it will come in time.

It sounds like you've had some really good experiences, and good people.

nannytone_2

my PA works some strange hour combinations.
last thursday she started at 7 30 in the morning because there was something coming into Aldi that we knew would fly off the shelf .
on a tuesday she works until 7 at night because thats when i visit my grandchildren.
some days she turns up and i only need to pop to the shops and then she's finished.
some weeks she will do almost double her hours ( like when i moved home) and in return she only popped in on me daily to see i was OK the following week.
the big difference is that my PS is the daughter of a friend, and so our relationship isnt strictly 'work'
if we go out, she usually gets her own lunch, but times such as last week when we rook my eldest grandson out... food was expensive, so i treated her.
she can have as many drinks as she likes as long as she makes me one too

Cyclamen

Jazabelle,

it gets easier.. I too find conversation and sitting up a challenge.. took me a while to let my carer find me in bed/laying down on sofa.. i used to set an alarm to sit up before she arrived at teatime.. bit silly but trust takes time.

If you are paying 4-5 hours a day losing 30 minutes to lunch every day soon adds up.. so maybe negotiate that meal break is unpaid.. but then they have the right to leave premises.. or that they join you whilst you eat but maybe do a little extra if urgent.

pre illness i would not have had a problem working over lunch and eating afterwards.. i usually worked through lunch with clubs, helping students, detentions, setting stuff up etc (ex teacher) and had a snack at morning break an dthen after the last bell.. so my suggestion would be to ask whoever you employ what they would like. I would have preferred to work through with a cuppa and snack than stop for half an hour.

It's ok to ask carer to do a list of tasks and leave you to rest.. over time i found i didnt need to request things.. they just happened as we developed a routine.

I do remember how unsettling it is.. I've had carers for 5 years now and just changed agency and found the whole thing really really stressful.. but we are the third week in and my new team are great and just make things happen.

If your disability has a charity associated iwth it they may have some leaflets that would help explain your symptoms/limitations to a new carer. I have one for me disease that i have scribbled on and highlit sections that I hand out to new carers.. it helps save energy explaining things an dmeans they get information that I believe is accurate as their is all sorts on the web.

Good luck with everything

Savvy_Sue

If you can get someone to interview with you, that can be a great help: even if all they do is take notes for you and chat to you afterwards. Their impressions may be useful too.

jazabelle

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If you can get someone to interview with you, that can be a great help: even if all they do is take notes for you and chat to you afterwards. Their impressions may be useful too.

My mum is coming with me, so she will provide the second opinon!

I am also going to record the interview (sound only) with their permission, as I can't physically take notes and have a poor memory, so as long as they don't mind (and if they do, they aren't the right person for me!) I will be able to review it if I'm still not sure.


Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts, and input. I will put some information together on my condition (as it's a total minefield even if you have it!)

Cyclamen

Jazabelle,

Thanks for PM.. your inbox is full.

Can you make a simple 'score sheet' ok crass name but the general idea that Mum can fill in. To record your initial reactions.. take a few minutes between interviews to do this? Use that an dyour voice recording to decide.. i just think that there is a lot more to communication than voice.. body language, eye contact, gestures etc.. My first PA who I still rank as the best would have been horrendous taped.

What i went for

spoke to me and not social worker (she helped me interview first time, although I picked the person she didnt want)

Eye contact, smile

Relaxed when off subject

Had done some research/asked questions

their concerns if any

notes

i rea;;y wish you well

Savvy_Sue

Cyclamen wrote: »

Can you make a simple 'score sheet' ok crass name but the general idea that Mum can fill in. To record your initial reactions.. take a few minutes between interviews to do this? Use that an dyour voice recording to decide.. i just think that there is a lot more to communication than voice.. body language, eye contact, gestures etc.. My first PA who I still rank as the best would have been horrendous taped.

What i went for

spoke to me and not social worker (she helped me interview first time, although I picked the person she didnt want)

Eye contact, smile

Relaxed when off subject

Had done some research/asked questions

their concerns if any

notes

That's a good idea, and you can even start the process with their application forms if you get more applicants than you have strength to interview. I know some people come across better in writing than face to face (I'm one!) but eg if you've decided that you must have a driver, then you can quickly eliminate those who can't.