Yes, if you are a personal health budget holder (or self-directed support in Scotland), you can use your direct payment to appoint a personal care assistant (PA) to work for you.

Your direct payment covers the cost of purchasing PA services to employ your own care or support worker to help you with daily tasks and to aid you to live independently. Often, the cost of recruitment, that is, advertising for your new PA through a platform like UKCIL, is also covered within your direct payment. To confirm it is, you can ask your funding authority for a breakdown of the budget that will be provided as well as information on your agreed care plan.

By using your direct payment to pay for your care worker support, you are able to exercise more choice and control over how your needs are met; and all support is tailored to meet your individual needs.