Job Title: Female Personal Assistant

Location: East Grinstead

Hourly rate: £13 per hour

Reference: DP5497

Hours/shifts: 20 hours a week minimum, additional hours may be available depending on circumstances that week. Monday – Friday flexible hours to be discussed at interview, Overnight Monday and/or Friday 8pm – 8am

job share possible if the minimum hours aren’t filled.

Summary

I am a chilled out young woman, with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and a range of other health problems. I live in East Grinstead with my parents who support me.

I am looking for a personal assistant to help me live independently, help with personal care, and social activities. I use a hoist for transferring for which training will be given. Epilepsy training and available if required.

I am non-verbal and would really love someone who loves to communicate and is as sociable as I am. I’d like someone who would be willing to take me out for activities on the days I’m able to go or spend time with me indoors and listen to music when I’m not.

Because of my epilepsy, I can become unwell during the night, so I’d need someone who is flexible with the hours they can work, so they can start early in the mornings if needed, to help give my mum a break.

Any experience with PEG feeding, using hoists and Epilepsy would be a huge benefit, although training can be provided if you don’t have any.

Please apply if you can do any of the above days and shifts.

Other Requirements

• "Exemption is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9."

• Non-smoker preferred or someone who is willing to refrain from smoking during work hours.

• Must have a UK driving licence

Must be able to drive employer’s wheelchair accessible car

Experience driving wheelchair accessible car would be an advantage

• Other:

Must have good communication skills

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.

Description

Typical duties

Personal Care:

Washing and bathing/showering – towelling dry/ drying hair

Supervision and/or assistance with showering, drying, hair washing/ brushing as required

Help getting into and out of bath/shower as required

To be on call when employer takes bath

Assistance with applying cream

General hair/skin care

Using the toilet

Dressing and undressing/ helping with buttons and fastenings

Getting into bed

Assistance with getting out of bed using a hoist

Help with dispensing tablets

Assistance with medication i.e., helping to take tablets from foil/packets

Helping with other aspects of personal care as required, for example assisting employer to get changed at swimming pool/gym.

Getting in and out of the wheelchair ('transferring')

Peg Feeding

Any other reasonable task

Social:

Accompanying on trips out e.g., to the park, to see family.

The above duties will involve driving me in my adapted car

Any other reasonable task

Person specification

The successful applicant will be:

Female* due to personal care needs

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 and cheerful

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

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