At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a young person with Autism in community activities and build a positive relationship.
- Company: Join a local family dedicated to providing consistent support for their child's needs.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, ongoing role, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Engage with a fun, bright child while helping him explore the world safely.
- Qualifications: Experience with Autism, resilience, and clear communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Evening and weekend availability required; enhanced DBS check needed.
We are supporting a local family to provide a direct payments support worker, on a part time basis. For the right candidate, the role will be available on an ongoing basis, as the young person requires consistency.
The family requires support for their child, who is currently 8 years old and has need in a variety of areas. His primary need is Autism – he has limited communication, sensory needs and significant social anxieties that can make it difficult for him to engage in the community. He also has ADHD, cognitive delay, and a demand avoidance profile.
The young person has a keen interest in being outside, and gets sensory input from physical play. As a result of his needs, he can also on occasion present behaviour that challenges. This means that the successful candidate will need to be engaging, physically fit and active, and flexible to working within the community (lots of time in parks!).
When engaged, he is fun, bright and bubbly – with a huge personality that makes him a delight to be around. He builds relationships and connections with those around him slowly, but with absolute passion. The right candidate will be able to build a relationship at the right pace, and really bring out that positive personality!
If successful, you would initially be working with parents as part of a 2:1 package, providing consistent support that enables the young person to engage with and safely explore the world around him.
To be considered for the role, you must have the below:
- Experience with Autism, or other relevant disability
- A background in supporting behaviour that challenges
- An engaging personality, and the resilience to deal with challenging situations where required
- Qualifications in de-escalation and physical handling would be an advantage
- The flexibility to work on evenings and weekends (as this is when the support is required)
- A clear communication style, that will enable the young person to both understand and engage
- An enhanced DBS
If you are interested in making a real difference to the world of a young person who needs your support to experience the world, and can quickly build effective and lasting relationships, get in touch for more information.
Personal Support Assistant employer: Hello Education
Contact Detail:
Hello Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Support Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Autism and ADHD by researching the latest strategies and techniques for supporting individuals with these conditions. This knowledge will not only help you understand the young person's needs better but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage in community activities that involve outdoor play or sensory experiences. This will not only enhance your understanding of how to support the young person but also show your enthusiasm for the role when you discuss your experiences with the family.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your ability to build relationships by thinking of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully connected with children or individuals with similar needs. This will help you convey your engaging personality and resilience during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your flexibility in working hours, especially evenings and weekends. Highlight any previous roles where you adapted your schedule to meet the needs of those you supported, as this will reassure the family of your commitment to providing consistent care.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Support Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, particularly with Autism and supporting individuals with challenging behaviour. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and your understanding of their needs. Mention your ability to build relationships and provide examples of how you've successfully engaged with similar individuals in the past.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have qualifications in de-escalation or physical handling, be sure to mention these in your application. This will show that you are prepared for the challenges that may arise in this role.
Show Flexibility and Availability: Clearly state your availability for evenings and weekends in your application. This is crucial for the family, so make it easy for them to see that you can meet their scheduling needs.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hello Education
✨Show Your Experience with Autism
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with children who have Autism or similar disabilities. Share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with them and supported their needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Engaging Personality
Since the role requires building a relationship with the young person, showcase your engaging personality during the interview. Use anecdotes that highlight your ability to connect with children and create a fun, supportive environment.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
The family needs support during evenings and weekends, so emphasise your availability and willingness to work flexible hours. This shows your commitment to meeting the family's needs.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice clear and concise communication, as this is crucial for engaging with the young person. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to explain concepts simply and effectively, which will be vital in your role.