Vacancy Title: Personal Assistant
Reference Number: MP8212
Location: Henfield
Hours per week: 3.5 hours per week at WEEKENDS during term-time, 5.5 hours per week in school holidays (as mutually agreed). These hours can be worked by 1 or more PAs so please apply confirming your availability
Hourly pay rate: £13 plus mileage
Mileage rate (if applicable): 45p per mile
Details
I am looking for care for a: child
The candidate should be: any gender
Driving licence required: yes
Access to own vehicle required: yes
Overnight care required: yes
Job Description
Summary
We are looking for a PA to support our 11-year-old daughter who is on the autistic spectrum and has epilepsy. You will take her on outings to places such as the park, McDonalds, KFC and other restaurants, on shopping trips and occasionally spend time with her at home doing things she really enjoys, as well as introduce her to new experiences.
She is semi-verbal and only uses communication aids in school. She requires 1:1 support and constant supervision to keep her safe as she tends to wander around and run away quickly.
When in the best mood, she is a very happy girl who loves physical activities, lots of dancing, jumping and running, meaning this can be quite a physical role requiring someone engaging and energetic. She loves music and does lots of singing, mainly the latest pop songs. She is strict with her routine and does things in a certain way which you will need to be mindful of.
You should be responsible, alert, kind, and empathic and have a hands-on approach, but a sense of fun to make her time away from us enjoyable and meaningful.
Experience of working with those with autism and epilepsy preferred, although full training will be provided. You will be required to administer Buccal Midazolam (emergency medication to be carried at all times) once trained in this.
Candidate qualities:
• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
• Hygienic, tidy and well organised
• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Creative
• Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard
• Able to always work to high standards of health & safety
Employee Duties:
• To take child on outings and occasionally spend time with her at home doing things she really enjoys, such as physical activities, dancing, jumping, running and singing
• To provide child with opportunities and support to safely try out new experiences
• To provide constant and consistent 1:1 support and supervision
• To ensure child’s safety at all times
• To be aware of surroundings at all times and prepared to take quick action should child suddenly run off, taking particular care near roads
• To assist child to become more aware of dangers
• To appropriately and effectively communicate with child (she is semi-verbal) to understand her needs at all times and support with alternative methods of communication to make her needs, wishes and feelings known to those around her
• To engage with and be mindful of child’s routine and methods of doing things
• To help child identify trigger points that may upset her
• To be aware of and follow Epilepsy Emergency Care Plan as required
• To carry emergency medication Buccal Midazolam at all times and administer and when required. Full training will be provided
• To administer any other medication as required
• To supervise toileting and support as required (minimal support needed)
• To ensure ear defenders are available and used as required, for e.g. when in public toilets due to the sound of the hand dryers
• To provide assistance with eating and drinking as required (child eats and feeds herself independently but follows a routine and eats the same types of food at the same restaurants)
• To drive child to activities in your own car (mileage expenses will be paid)
• To assist child with getting in/out of car and putting seat belt on
• To apply safety locks on car doors
• To book onto activities, pay entrance fees as required (the cost of which will be covered)
• To order food and drinks at activities as required
• To complete any other reasonable tasks as requested
Additional requirements
• Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required.
Please note, if you are successful in your application for this position you will be employed directly by the individual employer and not Independent Lives. Successful applicants will be entitled to Holiday pay and will be issued employment contracts.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .