At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a joyful 12-year-old with autism through engaging activities and personal care.
- Company: Friendly family in Ashford, Surrey looking for a caring Personal Assistant.
- Benefits: Access to discounts, mental health support, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Join a supportive family environment and help foster growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while enjoying a rewarding experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with autistic children and a warm, patient personality.
Location: Ashford, Surrey (family home and surrounding areas)
Hours: 10 hours per week (flexible). Predominantly Saturdays during term time, with additional weekday support during school holidays. Occasional after-school hours may also be available.
About The Role: We are a friendly family seeking a caring, reliable and proactive Personal Assistant (PA) to support our 12‑year‑old daughter, who is autistic and attends a specialist autism school in Leatherhead. She is pre‑verbal, but responds well to visuals and simple instructions, and thrives with structured, supportive engagement. This is a rewarding and evolving role that will involve both home‑based and community support. You’ll help with personal care tasks including dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, and feeding, as well as encouraging play, learning and safe exploration both at home and out and about.
Key Responsibilities:
- Providing supervision and safety awareness (our daughter has limited sense of danger)
- Supporting personal care routines (with sensitivity as her independence develops)
- Facilitating play and creative activities (drawing, building toys, imaginative play)
- Accompanying her on local trips and helping her engage with the community
- Supporting communication using visuals and structured guidance
- Encouraging gentle learning progress at home (e.g., reading, communication skills)
About You:
- Experience supporting autistic children, especially in specialist settings, is ideal
- A warm, patient and engaging personality is essential
- Confident working 1:1 with a child who has complex needs
- Driver with own vehicle (preferred but not essential)
Our daughter is a joyful, curious young girl with an infectious personality. While she can experience moments of distress due to anxiety, she responds positively to calm, consistent support and someone who can help her thrive in her environment. We also have a 14‑year‑old daughter and hope to welcome a PA into our home as part of the wider family.
Benefits:
- Eligibility to sign up for the Blue Light Card for only £4.99 which gives you access to a large range of discounts across retail, leisure, and other services at companies nationwide
- Counselling helpline, legal helpline and personal financial support
- Shopping discounts platform
- My Mind Pal mental health app subscription
Autism Support Worker Required for pre-verbal 12-Year-Old (Ref. 010220) in Ashford employer: Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC)
Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of both its employees and the individuals they support. Located in the picturesque town of Dorking, SILC fosters a vibrant work culture centred around compassion, creativity, and community engagement, offering unique opportunities for personal growth through hands-on experiences in supporting children with special needs. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling and dynamic work environment filled with fun activities and supportive colleagues.
Contact Details:
Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) Recruitment Team
