Do you have the right attitude and the skills to help?
Some employers want to find someone who is a good fit for them.
The film below will help inform you about becoming a Personal Assistant and what being a Personal Assistant means to the people who need them.
Click button to start video.
More information:
Your guide to Personal Assistants
Who can be a Personal Assistant?
How being a personal assistant may impact you?
Other Benefits available are:
Are you a Paid Personal Assistant in South Tyneside?
Claim your free membership of ILG (Independent Living Group) now. Get access to exclusive benefits such as:
- Counselling Helpline
- Legal Helpline
- Shopping Discounts Platform
- Personal Assistant ID Badge and Lanyard
Joining instructions:. – Your ILG card will also allow you to access the Blue Light Card Scheme.
Do you have a ILG Card?
Claim your membership of the Blue Light Card Scheme. This scheme provides members with discounts on over 15,000 partner brands online and on the High Street.
A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years and will give you access to all of these discounts.
Joining instructions: – You will be asked to upload your ILG card when you sign up.
You can also access:
“I became a PA after years of working in retail, and it’s been life-changing. I support a lovely lady with her shopping, housework, and social activities. We’ve built a real friendship, and I love seeing how my help makes a difference!”
Emma, PA
Free DBS Check
Once you have accepted a role:
If you accept a role, you will need to have a DBS Check completed, the following will take you through the process. If you can start this process as soon as possible, this will help prevent delays.. We will pay for your check as long as you follow the process here.
DBS will look into your criminal history and issue a certificate detailing the result. South Tyneside Council has a policy of undertaking a Enhanced DBS check on all people employed to work with children or vulnerable adults, whether voluntary or paid, these are renewed every three years.
What is the application process for a standard or enhanced DBS check?
Here is the process for a standard or enhanced DBS check:
- An employer offers you a job which requires a standard or enhanced DBS check.
- Your employer gives you the information to complete the on-line DBS application.
- You complete the online form and make a note of the unique reference number.
- Your employer submits the number and your documents to be verified..
- The DBS complete your check. This includes searching the Police National Computer.
- If it is an enhanced DBS check, the DBS will also search local police records.
- If the job involves caring for, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults, the DBS may also search children’s and adults’ barred lists. These are lists of people who are barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
- The DBS sends you a DBS certificate with your results of the check. It does not send this to your employer.
Documents to Verify Identity:
Certain documents must to provided in order to establish your identity. Please view the table below:
Group 1: Primary identity documents
Any document used in this group can not be used in group 2.
| Document | Notes |
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK |
| Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA |
| Birth certificate – issued within 12 months of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
Group 2: Trusted government documents
You can use any two documents from both of the tables below. however they should not have been used in Group 1.
| Document | Notes |
| Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) | All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) |
| Current driving licence (full or provisional) – paper version (if issued before March 2000) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. For a paper licence to be valid it must be issued before March 2000 and all information, including name and address, must be up to date. |
| Birth certificate – issued after time of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document, visa, or work permit | Issued by a country outside the UK. Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based |
| HM Forces ID card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
All driving licences must be valid.
Financial and social history documents
| Documents | Notes | Issue date and validity |
| Mortgage statement | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| Bank or building society statement | Countries outside the UK | Issued in last 3 months – branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Financial statement, for example pension or endowment | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider | Non-UK only – valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application | Must still be valid |
| Utility bill | UK – not mobile telephone bill | Issued in last 3 months |
| Benefit statement, for example Child Benefit, pension | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| EEA National ID card | Must still be valid | |
| Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used with an Irish passport | Must still be valid |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher or college principal | UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education – only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided | Must still be valid |
Finally:
The unique reference number and the three documents will need to be viewed and verified by a team member of the Direct Payments Team.
E-mail Self.DirectedSupportTeam@southtyneside.gov.uk, explaining that you need to have some documents verified for a DBS Check.
We will look at the documents, take a photocopy of them and send them and your unique reference to the DBS Service.
They will then get in touch with you with the results.