Personal Assistant – 224307LS in South Shields

Hours: 6 hours per week during school holidays.

Rate of pay: Age related national minimum wage to £13.43 per hour.

Area: South Shields.

Holidays: 5.6 weeks per annum (pro rata).

We are in search of a personal assistant for a nearly 14-year-old boy who is cheerful, kind, and caring, with a wonderful sense of humour. He resides at home with his mom, dad, and younger brother. He enjoys cooking, swimming, and acting. On Tuesday nights, he participates in a baking class, and his cakes have become quite popular at school! He adores pantomimes and often watches them on his phone, and he is passionate about his music lessons.

He is not fond of loud noises or tomatoes, and he prefers that his brother doesn’t play with him too much. Additionally, he is an exceptional actor. He has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy along with an underlying chromosome disorder. This condition results in muscle weakness, increased muscle tone, and a risk of joint fractures. He also faces a learning disability.

At home, he moves by pulling himself along the floor and climbing onto the sofa or bed. A stair lift is available for him to navigate the stairs. He strives for as much independence as possible, and his method of moving around the house is encouraged. He communicates verbally and is starting to utilise his Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) device. He has shown improvement in maintaining eye contact while interacting with others. He can now form spoken sentences with a broader vocabulary.

A driver with a large boot is required due to needing to transport a wheelchair. He can pretty much transfer into a car with little or no support. He can take his own medication himself, but mum will be willing to fill oral syringes with medication to be given at the required time. In the unlikely event he has a poo while out, he will wipe himself but might need checking to make sure he has done it correctly. Otherwise, he prefers to be left and will transfer to and from the chair alone, but may need help with the bar in the accessible toilet.

The personal assistant will help mum take him out for the day as it is a struggle with a toddler and this boy together. An enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

Please note these vacancies are not employed through South Tyneside Council but through the individual service user. This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed. At the time of starting their employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.