Family matters: personal assistants’ experiences of engaging and working with their employers’ families

Abstract

Many people in England employ care workers using state funding or their own resources. This article explores working relationships, communications and experiences of personal assistants with their employers’ family members. Data from interviews with 105 personal assistants (in 2016–17) were analysed to explore relationships and experiences. Three overarching themes related to personal assistants’ engagement with family members arose: (1) possible complications over accountability and employment; (2) support for family; and (3) being part of care teams. This article provides new insights into personal assistants’ relationships with employers’ family members, highlights the relevance of the concept of immaterial labour and sets out a research agenda.