Job Title: Personal Assistant

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Hourly rate: £20

Reference: DP7779

Hours/shifts:

Saturday: 1.5 hours

Sunday: 1 hour (personal care and household)

PAs do not have to work both days but would like them to commit to one regular day a week. There is the potential for weekday shifts as cover for other PAs for sickness/holidays.

Approx timing window (all shifts): 11am – 2pm, to be agreed with employer.

Summary

• I am a 57 year old Turkish lady with MS looking for support to continue living an independent life.

• I live independently in my own flat with my younger daughter, who has severe learning disabilities, and our cat Simba.

• I am bilingual. My condition means I sometimes forget the right words but I am fiercely intelligent and understand everything.

• I enjoy going out most days as it helps my mental health and MS. I particularly enjoy swimming and going to the shops.

• I require support with personal care including showering and dressing.

• I require support with accessing social and leisure activities and going to the shops as my condition affects my balance and mobility.

• I manage most of my domestic needs myself but need support with cleaning, snacks/drinks preparation, caring for my cat, and dealing with correspondence and paperwork.

• I require support and accompaniment to attend medical and other appointments.

• I require a driver with their own car who is proactive and flexible to my changing needs. Reasonable mileage when taking the client out will be reimbursed.

• This is a rewarding role for the right individual.

• I enjoy social contact and having a laugh and like people who can see the lighter side of life.

Other Requirements

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

• Must be comfortable with cats

• Must be happy to work in a smoking environment

• Must have a UK driving licence

• Must have access to own vehicle

• Must be self employed

All applicants must be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required.

Description

Typical duties as and when required

Domestic -

Laundry, helping with washing, hanging out to dry and putting away

Loading and unloading the washing machine and dishwasher

Changing bed linen and support with bed making

Taking out rubbish and bringing in wheely bins

General housework, including cleaning, dusting and vacuuming, and mopping

Minor household maintenance e.g, changing light bulbs, sweeping patio.

Assistance with preparing drinks and snacks when required.

Shopping trips

Assist me with feeding cat and changing litter tray

Support with general tidying

Support with correspondence e.g. reading letters/emails, help writing replies, form-filling, assisting with household paperwork and bills

Making phone calls on my behalf when I am too unwell to do this

Making coffee and general kitchen assistance when required

Personal Care:

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

• To be on call when I take shower

• Support with dressing and undressing after a shower

• Assistance with dying hair as required

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

• Getting in and out of cars and supervising mobility.

• Walking alongside me when out, being mindful of uneven surfaces and helping to guide me when required.

• Support with getting up if I fall.

• Support with physiotherapy exercises as required.

Social:

• Accompanying and assisting me on shopping trips each week

• Accompany me when accessing social and leisure activities, e.g. to swimming pool.

• Accompanying me to doctors/hospital appointments when required

• Accompanying on trips out to meet my elder daughter and granddaughter.

• The above duties will involve driving me in your car, lifting the folding walker in/out of car, and walking alongside me with one hand on the walker or on my arm. Occasional use of wheelchair if required.

• Sitting and chatting with me.

•

• Person specification

The successful applicant will be:

• Self employed

• Female due to personal care needs

• Able to tolerate the client smoking in the work place

• Respectful of the client’s privacy and confidentiality

• Reliable with good time-keeping

• Able to both work on own initiative and follow instructions

• Hygienic, tidy minded and well organised

• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties

• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills

• Understanding of working and communicating with those from different cultures, backgrounds, and with mental health conditions.

• Honest and cheerful

• Creative problem solver

• 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 engaged directly by the individual client and not Independent Lives