Personal Assistant / Carer

Job Title: Personal Assistant / Carer
Location: Chichester – near Shopwyke Lakes
Hourly rate: £14.25 per hour
Reference: SC8101
Hours/shifts: 10 hours per week school holidays split into one 5 hour shift and two 2.5 hour shifts. Days to be arranged.
Days and hours may change due to events happening
Summary
My son is 8 years old and has a diagnosis of ASD with a PDA profile. He has a wicked sense of humour and can be very quick with his responses. He loves flags and countries, watching YouTube videos and being outside. He thrives in a child led, non demand environment. He struggles with demands being put on him and adult led activities, working best with choices. He finds busy over stimulating places difficult and needs strategies in place to be able to cope, such as ear defenders and his buggy.
This role is to assist myself to help my child access the community. We will be working together going to places such as the zoo, lakes and cafes as well activities in the home environment. There will be times when you will have to assist me to help my child during unpredictable meltdowns when the environment becomes too overwhelming.
This role will move on to working independently with my child without myself once relationships have been built.
A Personal Assistant who is calm, patient and gentle in their approach would be a good fit for our family. You will also need to be comfortable around animals due us having a lively 6 month old puppy.
Other Requirements
Willingness to participate in learning opportunities to develop knowledge of ASD and PDA.
Description
Typical duties
Personal Care:
May require verbal encouragement to use the toilet.
Dressing and undressing/ helping with buttons/fastenings. Shoes and socks.
Will need help to clean his teeth and wipe face.
Mealtimes e.g. preparing meals and snacks. Cutting up food, assistance to eat may be required as well as verbal encouragement.
Social:
To accompany myself to take my son out on trips and leisure activities.
Accompany on social events meeting family and friends.
Places we may visit could include
Parks
Lakes
Walks
Zoos
Swimming pools
Cinema
Garden Centres
Forest Schools
For the above activities you will be a passenger in my car but on occasion you may be required to meet at the destination and complete your shift there. My son may use a special needs buggy. You will be expected to push him in it, collapse and unfold the buggy. Lift it in and out of the car.
To assist my son in the household. Helping him with the activities he choses, these could be games such as flag bingo, hide and seek, watching you tube with him, playing the xbox or cooking.
Person specification
The successful applicant will be:
Respectful of the employer’s privacy and confidentiality
Reliable with good timekeeping
Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
Hygienic, tidy minded and well organised
Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
Patience and possess excellent interpersonal skills
Honest
Cheerful
Creative
Kind and caring
Understanding of my child’s needs
Comfortable around animals due to a puppy in the household.
Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard
Legally permitted to work in the United Kingdom
An understanding of ASD and PDA, willingness to learn about the conditions and open minded to low demand strategies.
Able to work at all times to high standards of Health & Safety
Previous experience preferred but this is not as essential as a kind and common sense approach to these roles.
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