Personal Assistant- MALNCL

Hours: Up to 20 hours per week term time. Mon-Fri 8.30-9.30am, shifts after school from 2.30pm and weekends. Up to 30 hours per week school holidays, varying shifts. Hours can be shared between multiple PAs.

Location: Great Park, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Rates of pay: £17.61 per hour. Driver with clean licence essential.

My son Zak is a happy, lively boy who has lots of energy. He is a large and strong 13-year-old. He loves to be outdoors on quiet walks or exploring in his wheelchair, riding on the Metro. Other times he likes to relax with his tablet watching his favourite videos in his room. He is fixated with water and liquids and will take that opportunity if he gets it to create a big mess! He really enjoys messy play, magnetic blocks, slime and sand.

We are a family of 5 (3 kids, 2 of which have additional needs). We are seeking to find that extra special person who is ready for a challenge to become part of our family providing care, support and companionship to Zak. You must be geared towards achieving the best outcomes for him. He is Autistic alongside having learning disability, ADHD and sensory processing difficulties.

We currently have a PA who has known him for years and need to create a little team to work alongside. Zak is non-verbal and relies on an adult to problem solve to find out what he needs and to prompt him. He uses picture symbols to make choices with support, via his communication book or VOCA. He may also communicate using Makaton or other gestures. He has a communication book tailored to him which is required to be used and always modelled.

You will provide support to him within the home and in the community on a 2:1 basis. My son can be very determined if there is something that he wants to do or doesn’t want to do; it can be challenging distracting him or persuading him against something. He can also become physically challenging. He also has no awareness of danger and will run, very quickly, towards anything that catches his attention. My son is very tactile and sometimes likes to explore his environment with his mouth, especially putting objects in it. Zak likes routines and requires clear communication for demands and expectations.

Zak struggles with emotional and behavioural regulation and needs someone who is confident, resilient and quick to spot cues, intervene and deescalate. As my son’s Personal Assistant, you will work under my direction and be able to take initiative to meet his needs. You will be accountable to me in all aspects of your work. You must be reliable, be able to use your initiative and be able to work flexible hours. You must be able to respect our privacy and understand the need for confidentiality in all areas of your work.

You must be prepared and not afraid to get involved in all aspects of personal care and physically fit to be able to keep up with the demands of the role. We consider confidence, resilience, patience, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour to be essential attributes for this job. We would also value someone who is open to diversity and respects cultural and religious differences.

A driver with a clean driving licence is essential. You do not need any formal qualifications, but you should have understanding and awareness of Autism, learning disability, neurodiversity and must be willing to learn how to do the job under my direction.

This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS check and references which will be taken up if you are offered the post. 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.