Warm, Chatty & Adaptable PA Wanted – Dream Role for an Equine Enthusiast!
Ref: DP8430
Location: Horsham
Details
This role is to support a Child
Drivers licence required: Yes
Own vehicle needed: Yes
Employment status:
Employed
Hours per week:
Late afternoons/early weekday evenings, weekends, and school holidays (flexible) Please apply with your availability
Hourly pay rate:
£15
Are you a warm, chatty animal lover who wants a rewarding role that gets you out in the fresh air and around horses? We are seeking a reliable Personal Assistant to support a vibrant, creative young 10 year old girl in Horsham who is absolutely horse-mad! She is autistic with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD profile, meaning she responds best to a friendly peer rather than a strict authority figure. The ideal candidate is great company, naturally conversational, and excited to build a trusting relationship centered around shared passions.
Key Responsibilities
- The Ultimate Equine Companion: Accompanying her to her pony share yard for late afternoon/early weekday evening riding sessions and yard care, with occasional weekend visits to pony shows. Whether it's grooming, tacking up, or chatting about all things horses, you will be right by her side sharing her passion.
- Hobby Horse Jumping & Crafts: Bringing the equine fun home! Getting stuck into hobby horse jumping courses in the garden and local area, crafting, and building out of boxes.
- Community Outings: Heading out into the community for active, fun visits to local parks, woods, bowling, or climbing. Accompanying her to SEND activity days (such as ASPENS or Lodge Hill)
- Family Days Out: Joining the family on bigger group adventures, including monthly Wednesday evening swimming at Coral Reef Bracknell (5pm–9pm), beach days with paddleboarding, and theme parks like Thorpe Park (where a parent is always present).
- Regulation: You will provide your full attention to support her emotional regulation, using a low-demand approach, and being ready to bring her home early if she feels overwhelmed.
About You
- You are enthusiastic, outgoing, and inherently easy to talk to.
- You have a genuine love for horses and are entirely comfortable in a stable yard environment.
- You have experience with, or a strong willingness to learn about, Autism, PDA, and ADHD (specific training in PDA is available if required).
- You are comfortable and happy around dogs, as we have a friendly dog at home.
- You hold a full, clean driving licence and have access to your own vehicle for transport to the yard and local outings.
- You are comfortable around water and essential to join in the pool during swimming trips.
Duties include:
Candidate qualities:
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. If the role is offered on a self-employed basis, you will be responsible for the cost of your own DBS check.
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.
Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.
*Exemption for gender is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9
