At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a clever 8-year-old boy with autism through play and outdoor activities.
- Company: Join a caring family environment in Shildon, Co Durham.
- Benefits: Earn £13.00 per hour with flexible hours and rewarding experiences.
- Other info: Work closely with the family to provide consistent, child-centred support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while having fun and being creative.
- Qualifications: Experience with children preferred but not essential; patience and creativity are key.
The predicted salary is between 13000 - 13000 £ per year.
2 Personal Assistants are required to support a happy, energetic, and very clever 8‑year‑old boy who lives at home with his mam in the Shildon area. Although this boy is mostly non‑verbal, he shows his intelligence in many ways. He learns quickly—often by watching something just once—and enjoys problem‑solving through play. He loves building and creating, especially with train sets and play sets, and often makes his own ramps using whatever materials are around. He enjoys acting out scenes with toys linked to his interests and has a real imagination. While LEGO can be tricky and overwhelming for him, he thrives when activities match his interests and abilities. He has a strong love for Wallace and Gromit, particularly the rocket episode, and is fascinated by rockets and clocks. He also enjoys playing on his Nintendo Switch, listening to nursery rhymes, and spending time outdoors running, being active, using his trampoline, and playing with water. Being outside and on the move makes him especially happy. He has a diagnosis of autism, hypermobility, sensory processing needs, and a learning difficulty. Due to these additional needs, he requires a high level of care, supervision, and understanding to support his safety and wellbeing.
£13.00 per hour, 10 hours per worker per week
The Role
We are looking for two caring, reliable Personal Assistants to support this boy at home and in the community. The role is focused on 2:1 support to ensure he can safely access activities he enjoys while being encouraged to develop confidence and independence.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing constant 2:1 supervision to ensure his safety
- Support with outdoor play, physical activities, and community access
- Encouraging and joining in with his interests, including building, imaginative play, and sensory activities
- Supporting his sensory and physical needs, including awareness of his hypermobility
- Using patience and creativity to support communication and understanding
- Working closely with the family to provide consistent, child‑centred support
Ideal Candidate
- Experience supporting children with autism and additional needs (preferred but not essential)
- Calm, patient, and understanding
- Reliable, flexible, and committed
- Able to recognise and support his strengths, even when he communicates non‑verbally
- Confident promoting independence while always prioritising safety
An enhanced DBS will be required.
2 Personal Assistants required to support an 8 year old boy who lives in the Shildon area employer: UKCIL
Contact Detail:
UKCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 2 Personal Assistants required to support an 8 year old boy who lives in the Shildon area
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the boy's interests and strengths before your interview. This will help you connect with him and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting him. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points during your chat!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since the boy is mostly non-verbal, think about how you can use body language, gestures, and creative play to engage with him. Show us that you can adapt your approach to meet his needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share examples of how you've supported children with additional needs in the past. We want to see your experience and how you can bring that to this role. Real-life stories can make a big impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to follow the process as outlined.
We think you need these skills to ace 2 Personal Assistants required to support an 8 year old boy who lives in the Shildon area
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting children shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in this boy's life, so share any relevant experiences or interests that connect with his love for play and creativity.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your skills and experiences that match the job description. If you've worked with children with autism or have experience in sensory activities, shout about it! We love seeing how you can bring your unique strengths to the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your sentences are easy to read. This helps us understand your qualifications and why you'd be a great fit for the role without getting lost in the details.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website at UKCIL.com! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to check out more about what we do and how we support our team members.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKCIL
✨Know the Child's Interests
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the boy's interests, like Wallace and Gromit or building with train sets. This will help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting him.
✨Showcase Your Patience
Since the role requires a calm and patient approach, think of examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities. Be ready to share how you handled challenging situations with children, especially those with additional needs.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Reliability
The job requires flexible hours, so be prepared to discuss your availability and how you can adapt to the family's needs. Emphasise your reliability and commitment to providing consistent support, as this is crucial for the child's wellbeing.
✨Demonstrate Creativity in Communication
Since the boy is mostly non-verbal, think about creative ways you've communicated with children in the past. Share specific strategies or activities that have worked well for you, showing that you can engage him effectively and support his understanding.