Personal Assistant

Ref: MP8212

Location: Henfield

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Details

This role is to support a Child

Drivers licence required: Yes

Own vehicle needed: Yes

Employment status:

employed

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:

£13.00 plus mileage. Mileage rate: 45p per mile

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We are seeking a Personal Assistant to support our 12-year-old daughter, who is on the autism spectrum and has epilepsy. Your role will involve taking her on outings to places such as the park, McDonald's, KFC, and other restaurants, as well as on shopping trips. Occasionally, you will spend time with her at home, engaging in activities she enjoys and introducing her to new experiences.

Our daughter is semi-verbal and uses communication aids only at school. She requires 1:1 support and constant supervision to ensure her safety, as she tends to wander and can run off quickly.

When in a good mood, she is a very happy child who loves physical activities like dancing, jumping, and running, making this a physically engaging role that requires someone energetic and engaging. She loves music and enjoys singing, particularly the latest pop songs. She is strict with her routine and does things in a specific way, which you will need to be mindful of.

We are looking for someone who is responsible, alert, kind, and empathetic, with a hands-on approach and a sense of fun to make her time away from us enjoyable and meaningful.

Experience working with individuals with autism and epilepsy is preferred, but 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.

Duties include:

Duties Include:
- Outings & Activities: Take our daughter on outings and spend time with her at home engaging in activities she loves, such as physical activities, dancing, jumping, running, and singing.
- New Experiences: Provide opportunities and support for her to safely try out new experiences.
- 1:1 Support & Supervision: Offer constant and consistent 1:1 support and supervision to ensure her safety at all times.
- Safety Awareness: Remain aware of your surroundings and be prepared to act quickly if she suddenly runs off, especially near roads. Assist her in becoming more aware of potential dangers.
- Communication: Effectively communicate with our semi-verbal daughter and support her with alternative methods of communication and to help her express her needs, wishes, and feelings.
- Routine Engagement: Engage with and be mindful of her routine and methods of doing things.
- Trigger Point Identification: Help her identify trigger points that may upset her.
- Epilepsy Care Plan: Follow the Epilepsy Emergency Care Plan as required. Carry and administer emergency medication (Buccal Midazolam) at all times once trained. Administer any other medication as required.
- Toileting Supervision: Supervise and support toileting as needed (minimal support required).
- Ear Defenders: Ensure ear defenders are available and used as needed, especially in noisy environments like public toilets with loud hand dryers.
- Eating & Drinking Assistance: Provide assistance with eating and drinking as required, ensuring she follows her routine and preferences.
- Transportation: Drive her to activities using your own car (mileage expenses will be covered). Assist with getting in and out of the car and ensure her safety by using seat belts and door safety locks.
- Activity Arrangements: Book activities, pay entrance fees and order food and drinks as required. (costs covered)
- Additional Tasks: Assist with any other reasonable tasks as requested/required.

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

Additional requirements

Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours

Notes:

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 either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

*Exemption for gender is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9