Homepage > About Us > What is a PA?
- What is a Personal Adviser (PA)?
- Why do I need a PA?
- What can PAs help you with?
- Where can I find my PA?
- Who else will hear what I discuss with my PA?
- My nearest Connexions Centre is closed or I can't contact my 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.
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 professionals here to offer information, advice and guidance, so get to know your PA!
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.
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 - 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.
Posted - 10:15, 05 Aug 2009
i am only 13 and i would enjoy the privilage of a job but im not sure if im too young i have done some work experience but i need help to try and find a job i feel a bit stupid going into connexions by myself if they're just going to say im too young can you please help me !?
Posted - 12:03, 05 Aug 2009
Hi, thanks for your comment. Please don't feel embarrassed about visiting your local Connexions Centre. The youngest that you can work is 13 years of age and for a Summer job this might be fruit picking, babysitting, paper round or voluntary work. There are certain strict laws governing the employment of young people and it might be a good idea to call in at your local Connexions centre for advice on this before you start work. There are also lots of activities going on during the Summer that are run by Essex County Council, if you have some spare time and want to do something fun you can go into your local Connexions Centre for further details. We wish you good luck in finding a summer job. Connexions PA
Posted - 04:24, 16 Sep 2009
can you type a CV for me?
Posted - 03:41, 23 Sep 2009
A Connexions Personal Advisers won’t write a CV for you, but they can assist you with the development of a CV by advising you of the types of information you should include and how you should present your CV. You can also register to MyConnexions in order to use our CV builder which will support and guide you through the development of your personalised CV. You can save your progress along the way so you don’t need to complete it all in one go. To register click on the blue MyConnexions tab from our homepage. Best of luck Connexions.
Posted - 10:56, 02 Dec 2009
im 14 and i really need a job any job .. ive worked helping out in a hairdressers and ive worked on a burger stall.
Posted - 11:55, 09 Dec 2009
Hi, Connexions understands that many young people would like to become independent and earn their own money; many young people do this by having a Saturday job, or by doing jobs for family or friends.
If you are a young worker, you have different employment rights from an adult worker. You get longer rest periods and more protection from night working. Unlike adult workers you cannot opt out of these protections.
You can apply for vacancies that do not interfere with your schooling - such as a paper round, baby sitting, delivering leaflets, working in a restaurant after school.
Employers are happy to talk to young people and if an opportunity is available you could apply, however yourself and the employer need to follow abide by the child employment laws. You can find more information in our articles on ‘working under 16’ (from the left hand navigation Job Search – working under 16) and ‘child employment’ (from the left hand navigation Work – At work – Child Employment).
Good luck in finding a part time job. Connexions PA
Posted - 09:10, 22 Feb 2010
hi im 18 year old , my partner and I have accident when we are making love as the condom split! im not sure if i should see GPand book appointment but i need the morning after pill now . Would the hermit shop providethe it? please help
Posted - 02:46, 23 Feb 2010
Hi thanks for getting in touch. The morning after pill works for up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex, however it is more effective the sooner you take it. You can get the morning after pill from your some pharmacies without prescription and in Brentwood you can go to Boots or Sainsburys, however you may be charged around £22. Alternatively you can contact your GP. When you ring up you need to say that it is urgent so you get seen on the same day. The Hermit Health Shop is open on Monday evenings currently 4-7pm and the staff there would go through everything with you but waiting until Monday would be too late for the morning after pill to be effective. So definitely visit a local pharmacy or contact your GP. You and your partner can still visit the Health Shop on Monday and they can go through any further concerns you may have. You can find out further information on emergency contraception at http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Contraception/Pages/Emergencycontraception.aspx. Connexions
Posted - 12:29, 13 May 2010
hi i am 18 year old and i am a foreign student in college,i have stayed in the UK about one year. i want to find a part time job or do volunteer this summer holiday but i completely don't know how to find it. i have no work experience and my english is not very good,the reason that i want to find a job or volunteer is to improve my english when communicate with people and get some work experience. i am a little shy and quiet.is there any website that i can apply for online or other ways i can find?
Posted - 11:33, 18 May 2010
Hi thanks for getting in-touch. There are many voluntary agencies in the UK that can help you to find a job in the summer holidays. Volunteering is worthwhile because it allows you to develop skills and open future opportunities. Try visiting the links from our volunteering article (from the left hand menu click on ‘Free time’ then ‘Volunteering’). Many students work in the UK without needing a special work permit, for as long as you are registered as a student. Call into your local Connexions Centre and a personal adviser will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. An adviser can help you check if there any work restrictions, advise on benefits, learning and employment opportunities. You can find a list of our centres and opening hours from the left hand navigation under ‘Connexions Centres’. You can also do an online search for the “UK council for International Student Affairs” which should provide further information for international students. You could also try joining local youth groups or activities as this would be a great way to meet new people, improve your English and help with your shyness. You can search Essex Young Life from our Homepage under the left hand navigation. Best of luck and we looking forward to your visit to one of our centres, Connexions PA.
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Posted - 02:14, 07 May 2008
i need some advice please