Personal Assistant/ Support Worker

Job Title: Personal Assistant/Support Worker
Location: Haywards Heath
Hourly rate: £11 ph weekdays, £13 ph weekend days
Reference: DP6872
Hours/shifts: 7 hrs per week – 3 x 1 hr shifts on weekday evenings, 4 hr shift on a weekend day. Flexibility and availability to do overtime and cover weekday daytime shifts in addition to regular hours highly desirable.
Summary
I’m a 30 year old female – creative, intelligent (so I’m told!), fun and I love the outdoors!
I have PoTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, hEDS – Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and MCAS – Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. These conditions greatly affect many aspects of my life, but it is important to me to try to stay as independent as possible (with a bit of support from you) so that I can continue to enjoy everyday activities and pursue my ambitions.
I am also autistic and suffer from long-term complex mental health conditions, but the care I need is mainly around my physical health.
I require a driver with their own car to safely drive us for trips out at the weekend. I need some support with general household tasks and cleaning. I will also need some support with accessing social and leisure activities, ensuring my safety while out in the community, and may need accompanying to some medical or other appointments.
I love anything creative, walks out in nature, spending time around animals and going to the cinema. I honestly believe that this could be a really fun and enjoyable role for the right person!
Other Requirements
"Exemption is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9."
Must be comfortable with pets – I have a lovely indoor cat, Bella, who I need some help caring for.
Must have a UK driving licence
Must have access to own vehicle
All applicants must be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check
Successful applicants will be entitled to Holiday pay and will be issued employment contracts.
The role requires close personal contact with an individual who is extremely vulnerable to the risk of infection and disease transmission. Preference may be given to applicants who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Careful consideration will be given to applicants who can show the vaccination is not suitable for them on reasonable grounds.
Description
Typical duties
Domestic -
Laundry, hanging out to dry, ironing, putting away
Helping with laundry, washing and drying
Changing bed linen
General cleaning
Taking out rubbish
General housework, including cleaning, dusting and vacuuming.
Minor household maintenance
Occasionally preparing drinks, snacks and meals.
Assist with cleaning out cat litter tray – training will be provided!
Correspondence e.g. reading letters, help writing replies, form-filling, assisting with household paperwork
Making phone calls on my behalf when I am too unwell to do this
Personal Care:
To be on call in my home when I shower as this activity increases my risk of fainting. This is the full extent of the personal care I require.
Social:
The role would also involve accompanying me on a trips out and ensuring my safety in the event that I faint while out in public.
Driving me on trips out.
Accompanying and assisting on shopping trips
Accompanying during social and leisure activities
Accompanying during doctors / hospital appointments
Accompanying and assisting when buying clothes (trying on clothes, lifting clothes from rails)
Occasional longer journeys
Accompanying on trips out
Person specification
The successful applicant will be:
• Female due to personal care needs
• A background in first aid would be useful, though not essential, training can be provided.
• Kind, caring and willing to take their lead from me as it is important to me to maintain as much independence as possible.
• Ideally have some flexibility around hours in order to fit in with employer’s schedule.
• Available to do overtime and cover weekday daytime shifts for other PAs in addition to usual hours.
• Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard
• Legally permitted to work in the United Kingdom
• Able to work at all times to high standards of Health & Safety
No previous experience necessary, just a kind and compassionate nature, and a willingness to learn about my individual needs and mental health.
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