Job Title: Personal Assistant/Support worker

Location: Worthing

Hourly rate: £11

Reference: DP7291

Hours/shifts: 6 hours per week term time (Saturdays preferable), 12 hours per week in the school holidays (Days and times can be negotiable).

Summary

My son is 12 years old, and he has Autism. He loves routine and to know what is happening and responds well to someone who shows patience and engages with him.

I am looking for someone who is happy, smiley and calm to participate in social and leisure activities with him. He loves going to places such as Harbour Park, swimming and playing golf, but it would be great to have someone who can take him out to explore new places too. Having a car to take him out would be ideal but this is not essential as public transport could be used.

It would be beneficial to have experience of Autism, but this is not as important as you getting to his needs, what things are important to him and what makes him tick.

My son can show challenging behaviours when routines change, or things are not as he had expected them to be. He becomes distressed and upset. The role will involve you getting to know his triggers and how to react to him in these situations.

Other Requirements

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

• Must have a UK driving licence if driving, mileage expenses will be paid

• Other:

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:

Reminding my son to wash and dry hands when out.

Social:

Planning/researching activities

Participating in social and leisure activities, i.e. swimming, out of bounds, golf, theme parks etc.

Occasional longer journeys

The above duties will mostly involve driving him in the PA’s car or accessing public transport as my son enjoys bus/train journeys .

Identify potential trigger points for challenging behaviour when out and acting accordingly. Training will be provided to know what works best.

Person specification

The successful applicant will be:

Respectful of the employer’s privacy and confidentiality

Consistently reliable with excellent timekeeping, because routine is important

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 able to read people and situations well

Honest and smiley, creative

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 (including life experience) 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