Personal (care) Assistant / Support Worker Required
I’m looking to recruit a positive, enthusiastic and empathetic person (or persons) to join my small team of Personal Assistants (PAs) who enable me to live independently.
I have variable impairments that restrict my mobility and dexterity, cause constant pain and fatigue, and can impact my cognitive and mental ability. I’m female and 57 years old, going on 7 or 87 depending on the day and the activity.
When asked to describe me in ten words or less one PA says I’m “creative, intelligent, caring ….with a wicked sense of humour”. A less polite one says that I’m “not wired right”!
I would like my PA to be fully vaccinated or willing to have vaccines in the future in order to protect me from viruses.
Hours and rate of pay:
£13 an hour, some flexibility on hours, up to approximately 18 hours a week depending on needs and PA availability. Assistance provided via all PA’s combined will need to cover morning and evening routines 7 days a week plus daytime activities several times a week.
Main Duties:
You will be assisting me to engage in day to day activities and to complete tasks that will vary based on time / day / needs e.g. helping me to get washed and dressed, assisting with household tasks, supporting me to access the community, visiting friends, going shopping, working on DIY projects, gardening, day trips, trips to the gym, meals out, caravanning, woodwork, welding…the usual stuff!
You will build a good relationship with me so that you can understand what is important to me and for me. I like to be supported by people who are enthusiastic about their work, who have a similar sense of humour to me and who are motivating and fun to be with. You will hopefully learn how to best encourage me to push through the pain to achieve my goals and also develop a Spock-like ability to predict with great accuracy when I should pack up and rest (good luck with that!). If you misjudge this last one it’ll be you clearing up the tools/ driving my car / finishing the shopping while I collapse into bed / the passenger seat / an embarrassing gibbering wreck in the vegetable aisle.
Most work will be on a 1:1 basis but will also require some team working. Training will mostly be on the job with some job shadowing and some more formal training a possibility.
The post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure which will be funded through your employer.
The person / people I would like:
Will be able to tick a few items on my perfect PA wishlist
You are:
Reliable and trustworthy.
Comfortable with dogs and are willing to follow strict rules on all interactions with my trainee Assistance Dog.
Flexible and facilitating with good written and verbal communication skills.
Independent and able to work alone using your own initiative when required whilst respecting my wishes and needs.
Have previous PA(care) experience, but personality and willingness to learn are more important.
Likely to hold a full driving license and be able to drive me to activities and appointments.
Someone who cares about supporting people to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Empathetic and can support people in sensitive or challenging situations.
Willing to develop intuition about when it’s appropriate to step in and assist, while ensuring that I feel in control, safe and supported.
Happy to participate in a variety of activities to support my goals and mental health.
Practical, able to follow instructions and to respect my preferences.
A good listener, non-judgemental, with experience or understanding of mental health issues, and ok with sudden changes of plan.
Organised, tidy, quick to learn where things belong and to return them to their homes for me.
Vaccinated and willing to have vaccines in the future in order to protect me from viruses.
A navigator for rallying with the caravan!
NOT a Tory, Reform and/or Trump supporter.
A Michelin Starred chef, plate juggler, joiner, builder, roofer, electrician, welder, mechanic, chauffeur, artist, travel agent, hairdresser, make-up artist, personal stylist, dog trainer, gardener design, landscaper, interior designer, painter and decorator, mind-reader, magician, wizard, witch and/or dragon tamer.
“Please note that this advert has been placed on behalf of one of our customers. Should your application be successful and you are offered the position, you will be directly employed by the customer and not by PeoplePlus”