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Homepage > About Us > What is a PA?

What is a PA?

A Personal Adviser, or PA, is trained to help you fulfil your potential by advising and supporting you - but most importantly they are there to listen to you. Whatever your needs, PAs will be able to put you on the right track.

Why do I need a PA?

There are many times between the ages of 13-19 when you will experience change and need to make decisions. PAs are there to make sure you always have someone to turn to. PAs are trained proffessionals here to offer information, advice and guidance, so get to know your PA!

What can PAs help you with?

Whether it is to do with education, employment, training, personal development, leisure, health, relationships, sexuality, housing, legal issues, money matters or benefits, PAs are part of a support network of organisations that can offer information and advice plus practical support and help you find solutions.

Where can I find my PA?

They're also easy to get in touch with as they are based in schools, colleges, youth clubs and other community venues. To talk to a Personal Adviser, ask at school, or call your local Connexions Centre.

Who else will hear about what I discuss with my PA?

Talking with your PA is confidential. You will be explained our privacy policy every time you meet with a PA. Nothing you say can be passed on to anyone else without your permission. The only exception to this is when a young person is in a situation of danger and there is concern for someone's safety. If information is to be shared you will be told why. Read our Privacy Policy for further information.

My nearest Connexions Centre is closed or I can't contact my PA

If you are unable to get to your nearest Connexions Centre you can always contact Connexions Direct. They offer information, advice and support to 13-19 year olds between 8am and 2am everyday on 080 800 13 2 19. Alternatively you can talk one-to-one with a personal adviser at Connexions Direct.

Your Comments

Posted - 02:14, 07 May 2008

i need some advice please

Posted - 09:12, 12 May 2008

Hi, thanks for your comment. At Connexions we deal with lots of young people with concerns about; health, relationships, careers, education and more. To help with your individual concern it sounds like you need someone to talk to. Did you know that you can contact your local Connexions Centre and speak to a Personal Adviser? You can get in touch by dropping into a centre, calling or by sending an email. All contact details are on the website under the Connexions Centres Page. Connexions

Posted - 02:02, 21 Jul 2008

i need some help, can you retake your maths and english exams in connexions because the course i want to do

Posted - 03:27, 21 Jul 2008

Hi, Thanks for your comment. I would suggest calling into your local Connexions centre to discuss the options in your area as they can vary. However the important message I can give you is that they will be able to help, there are so many options it's just a case of finding one that will suit you. Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you. Connexions

Posted - 02:21, 07 Oct 2008

i would like some help in finding a part time job in the harlow area

Posted - 09:43, 08 Oct 2008

Thanks for your comment. We don’t generally advertise part-time vacancies, however our trained personal advisers based at our Harlow One Stop Shop may know of organisations in the surrounding area that are looking for part-time workers, or can suggest the kind of organisations that you should be approaching. If you are under 16 there are many rules and regulations in place for your safety which can make finding part-time work difficult and one of our personal advisers can explain these in more detail. Contact details for our Harlow One Stop Shop can be found on the left-hand navigation under the heading Connexions Centres. Best of luck, Connexions

Posted - 05:40, 19 Oct 2008

l need to retake my english and maths could it be possible to do other skilla at the same time l like to do graphics if it is possible

Posted - 02:26, 27 Oct 2008

Thanks for your comment; it is often possible to retake English and Maths qualifications in the form of GCSEs or equivalence, such as Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN). Some Institutions will allow you to complete these alongside an academic or vocational course, however, each Institution is different and it is best to contact your local Connexions adviser to gain further information about your options. Advisers are based in schools across Essex or your can visit your local Connexions Centre. You can find the contact details of your nearest centre from the navigation under 'Connexions Centres'. Best of luck, Connexions PA

Posted - 10:12, 27 Oct 2008

i need a job. and im 14? is there any sites you could reccomend where i can apply for a job online. i live in essex

Posted - 02:51, 28 Oct 2008

Hi, thanks for your comment. There are a number of job websites out there but unfortunately these are mainly for adults or young people that have left school. You can work under the age of 16 with a work permit however there are a number of laws in place to protect your health and safety. This restricts: the number of hours you can work; so that it does not affect your education and the types of jobs you can do such as using machinery. You can read more about the health and safety laws from the left hand navigation under ‘Work – At Work - Health and Safety at Work’. As a result of these laws finding a part-time job can be difficult. We suggest you approach reputable organisations perhaps with your parents or carers to see if they have any jobs suitable for you, especially in the busy period running up to Christmas. You can also read our article on ‘Working under 16’ which you can find from the left hand navigation under ‘Job Search’. This detailing the types of jobs available to you. For more advice speak to a Connexions Personal Adviser in your school or your nearest centre. Best of luck, Connexions.

Posted - 07:15, 01 Nov 2008

how do you apply for the jobs as it dont say how to ?

Posted - 09:50, 03 Nov 2008

Thanks for your comment. To apply for any of the vacancies advertised on the website you will need to contact your local Connexions Centre to talk through your job search in more detail. This is to ensure that you are suitable for the advertised position before applying. A Personal Adviser will talk you through your options giving you any support and guidance that you may need. You can find details of your nearest centre from the left hand navigation under Connexions Centres. Best of luck, Connexions.