At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist individuals with personal care, daily activities, and social engagements.
- Company: Independent Living Alternatives empowers disabled people to live independently and control their lives.
- Benefits: Earn £12.21 per hour, enjoy flexible working hours, and receive free training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while gaining valuable skills and experiences.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring an open mind and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Join a supportive community where over 75% of PAs stay for more than a year.
The role of a Personal Care Assistant (PA) is an extremely varied and interesting one from the basics of personal care (getting some dressed, bathed and feeding meals and cooking and cleaning) to having a unique insight into an individual’s life and learning skills (from assisting someone at work or in social activities to assisting at a conference or demonstrating outside Parliament!). ILA also has vacancies supporting Disabled people in their workplace by filing, scanning documents, taking notes, etc.
Do you want to work in an environment where every day you are empowering a disabled person to do what they want to do?
We believe that everyone should be in control of when they get up and go to bed; what they eat; where they go; when they go out and when they come home; every decision and choice is up to the disabled person-needing assistance does not mean losing control and independence.
If you agree with this, you should consider working as a Personal Assistant with Independent Living Alternatives:
- Independent Living Alternatives is a user controlled organisation – the people who use the service control the service
- We have full-time and part-time work across London with physically disabled people living independently in their own home
- Salaries start from £12.21per hour plus holiday and pension
- You choose when you work and when you don’t work – you also decide if you want a flexible or fixed contract of employment
- We offer free online training for The Care Certificate, First Aid, Health and Safety and Being a Personal Assistant and you don’t pay for your DBS
- You will be provided with full training to work with each person that you assist
You don’t need any experience to work as a Personal Assistant with Independent Living Alternatives, just an open mind and a willingness to learn new things:
- PAs are great communicators, have lots of patience, excellent listening skills and are able to follow instructions to do what the disabled person asks them to
- PAs tell us that they have great working relationships with the disabled people at ILA
- Disabled people tell us that PAs are flexible and PAs enjoy the diversity of disabled people they work for including artists, accountants, activists and homemakers
- Over 75% of ILA PAs stay for more than a year on their placement
“I’ve worked with ILA for 10 years now. I know the family and I am happy with the PA user; I like the mornings as we talk a lot and there are always interesting topics –I’ve learnt loads regarding disability and social services etc.”
Registered Charity: 802198
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Personal Care Assistant employer: INDEPENDENT LIVING ALTERNATIVES
Contact Detail:
INDEPENDENT LIVING ALTERNATIVES Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of independent living. Understanding the philosophy behind empowering disabled individuals will help you connect better with potential employers and demonstrate your commitment to their values.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your soft skills during any informal conversations or interviews. Being a Personal Care Assistant requires excellent communication, patience, and listening skills, so be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated these in past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former Personal Care Assistants. They can provide valuable insights into the role and may even refer you to job openings, increasing your chances of landing a position with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Be open to learning and adapting. Since no prior experience is required, showing your willingness to undergo training and learn new skills will make you a more attractive candidate for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to understand the responsibilities of a Personal Care Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the tasks involved, such as personal care, assisting in social activities, and supporting disabled individuals in their daily lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. Emphasise qualities like communication, patience, and a willingness to learn, as these are crucial for a Personal Care Assistant.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for empowering disabled individuals. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this position, and explain how you can contribute to the values of Independent Living Alternatives.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at INDEPENDENT LIVING ALTERNATIVES
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Personal Care Assistant, empathy is key. During the interview, share experiences where you've demonstrated understanding and compassion towards others. This will show that you can connect with the individuals you'll be assisting.
✨Highlight Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Be prepared to discuss how you listen actively and follow instructions. You might even want to give examples of how you've successfully communicated in past situations.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The job requires adaptability to different situations and needs. Talk about times when you've had to adjust your plans or approach to meet someone else's requirements. This will illustrate your ability to be flexible in various scenarios.
✨Express Willingness to Learn
Since no prior experience is necessary, emphasise your eagerness to learn new skills. Mention any relevant training or courses you've taken, and express your enthusiasm for the free online training offered by the organisation.