PERSONAL ASSISTANT / CARER CILR/Dorset/060226

To join our small and friendly team, you will be supporting a 50‑year‑old man with Cerebral Palsy living in his purpose‑built extension. At times, he may become unable to adequately communicate all of his wishes and become frustrated. It is expected that his Personal Assistant will respond positively yet calmly to any request or instruction he may be able to express for himself and to encourage constructive verbal exchange. You should also be aware of his usual wishes and choices when he cannot communicate well, respect when he objects to something or is scared, and recognise that even if he is unable to make you understand at a particular time, he can still understand most of what is said. You will be given training, guidance and support from both his joint welfare deputies.

Main Duties

• Predominantly remain in sight or close to him during a shift in order to recognise verbal and non‑verbal communication promptly, while allowing him private time when it is clear he needs this.
• Work in a relaxed, quiet and professional manner, respectfully supporting him in his daily intimate and personal care according to his routine, expectations, and needs, including some incontinence management.
• Encourage and support his interests and happiness.
• Treat him with respect, accept and support his right to moods and emotions.
• Support and encourage him to access community‑based activities within his wishes.
• As a team, the goal is to enable him to lead a more fulfilling, independent and healthy lifestyle.
• Plan and help with meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner (meals to be planned ahead with Welfare Deputies).
• Keep daily records and administer medication correctly if needed.
• Provide him with all the help he needs to maintain maximum independence and self‑determination in his own home; balance support and assistance with encouragement of tasks (within his wishes on a varying day‑to‑day basis) rather than simply doing tasks for him.
• For example, preparing and presenting meals which he can eat himself at his own pace.

Personal Qualities and Attributes required

• A full current driving licence.
• Flexibility in terms of time and availability.
• A caring attitude, trustworthy and reliable.
• Patience, calmness with empathy for his background and preferences.
• Appearance clean and neat with a friendly, easy‑going manner.
• A sense of humour.
• Ability to work with or without direct supervision, accepting feedback from his Welfare Deputies regarding his care and decisions.
• Willingness and desire to learn, to learn from mistakes and to be open about them.
• Correct handling and positioning of him in his wheelchairs, bed or reclining chair.
• Handling tasks of lifting (by ceiling hoist) and bending, accepting periodic in‑person employer reviews.
• It is not essential to be strong to do this job well, but general good health is important.
• All training and equipment is provided.

Please note that this role may be subject to a DBS check. The employer may also ask for you to supply references. You must be able to prove the right to work in the UK. No sponsorships are available.

Location: Ferndown

Hours

Please indicate on application your typical weekly availability. Shifts subject to agreement, typically an average of two 12‑hour shifts per week. Day shift: 9:30 am – 9:30 pm. Night shift: 9:30 pm – 9:30 am. During induction, when shifts may be shorter and hours different from the final contract, pay will be increased by 12.07% for pay‑in‑lieu of accrued annual leave.

Pay

Paid four‑weekly, from April 2026: Day shift £14.21 /hr. Night shift £12.71 /hr. 20% weekend and bank holiday enhancement applies.

Job Type

Part‑time, employed only. This is not a self‑employed position.

Compass Disability Services (Compass Independent Living Team) is a support, advisory and payroll service. We support people with a disability or long‑term health condition to live independently and retain control of their lives within the community. We are not the person that you will work for. You will work for the individual or family that we are supporting.