This is a fixed term position
12 hours available per week
Shifts are between 11am and 4pm on Weekdays
£11.44 per hour
Job reference: 5004
Job description
Although this job description is correct at present, it may change from time to time after negotiation with the post holder.
Must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role, sponsorship not available.
About me
I am a sixty-year-old woman who lives in Elmswell. I have been diagnosed with various health conditions which affect my day-to-day life and therefore I am looking for a Personal Assistant who can support me.
I have lived with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) for many years and although I have had times where it has been more manageable, I have found that the last few years have been especially difficult as my ME has been particularly bad. I also suffer with Psoriatic Arthritis which affects the mobility of my joints as it causes them to become inflamed. These conditions tend to work against each other, meaning that I am constantly fatigued.
The vulnerability that I feel due to my conditions has caused me to suffer from Agoraphobia and I am very nervous about going out – especially if I feel like I am not in control. My ME means that I have a ‘sensory overload’ which can add to the anxiety. I was also diagnosed with C-PTSD in 1988 and this can at times be incredibly challenging. It would be helpful if my PA had some understanding of this and my recurrent depression
Despite this, I am a friendly, chatty and approachable person - I love doing creative things and being out in my garden. I am looking for someone with a similar nature who is empathetic and understanding, as well as pro-active and reliable.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· General housekeeping and home-based support
o Some examples of the work you might do: Ironing, Light gardening/assisting me in the garden if I am feeling well, cleaning, hoovering, washing up etc
· Driving me to pre-arranged appointments
· Occasional odd-jobs and helping me with DIY
· Occasionally running errands to the local shops/post office/bank on my behalf
· Occasionally supporting me with paperwork and correspondence
: More tasks may be added to the role (e.g. some light personal care and food preparation) as I get to know the successful candidate better. Although I sometimes need support, it is important to me that I feel independent and my life remains very private. This means knowing the person well before introducing these tasks.
Personal Specification
(refer to these when submitting your application)
Essential Criteria
· A full clean driving licence with access to their own car, and business insurance which allows you to us your car for work purposes
· Someone who is compassionate, non-judgmental and empathetic and who understands how I like to live
· Someone with a strong understanding of confidentiality and who is happy to use these skills in their work with me
· Someone who is confident with their work and able to self-direct their own tasks and work unaided, when necessary
· Someone who is flexible, reliable and trustworthy and who respects the importance of the role
Desirable Criteria
· Someone with an experience in a similar role
· Someone with an understanding of ME and the challenges it can bring
· Someone who is like-minded and who enjoys similar activities to me
· Someone who is a non-smoker. My house is a non-smoking house and I do not smoke
Summary terms and conditions
· Hours, days and times of work:
o 12 hours per week - flexible times to be agreed with candidate. Shifts would be arranged between 11am and 4pm on weekdays. Occasional shifts booked in advance but will generally be decided between the two of us.
o Pay rate: £11.44 per hour
· Annual leave: The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work normally done during 5.6 weeks (statutory entitlement).
· Expenses: You will be reimbursed for prior agreed expenses incurred as part of the role.
· Sick pay: I do not operate a private sick pay scheme but provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
· Pension: I do not operate a private pension scheme but I will fulfil my statutory obligations via the NEST pension scheme.
The post is subject to the following
· Background check: A satisfactory Enhanced with Adults Barred List Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this position.
o If you have been convicted of a criminal offence, please send these details to SIL in a separate email or in a sealed envelope together with a stamped addressed envelope. This will not be shared unless you are shortlisted for the post.
References: If successful, you will be required to provide details of two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer, or character references if you have not been employed
· Trial period: This post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months.
How to apply
If you wish to apply for this position, please complete an application form and return it to SIL, quoting the job reference number 5004.
Please refer to the job description.
Online form:
Email: suffolk@silmail.org Telephone: 01473 603876
Post - Address: SIL, Unit 21, IP City Centre, 1 Bath Street, Ipswich, IP2 8SD