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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a bright 7-year-old with learning disabilities through engaging activities and personal care.
- Company: Join a caring family in Grappenhall, Warrington, dedicated to nurturing their child's independence.
- Benefits: Earn £12.60 per hour with flexible hours and potential for additional work during holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while enjoying creative and fun activities together.
- Qualifications: Passion for working with children, experience with learning disabilities, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for training in child care and support.
About the Role
We are seeking a kind, patient, and reliable Personal Assistant (PA) to support a bright and loving 7-year-old child with a learning disability who is non-verbal and requires support with personal care. The PA will work closely with the child and family to promote a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment that encourages independence and wellbeing.
It is important that you can build a trusting relationship with our child, encouraging independence and interacting with her interests, such as music, sensory / being outside, pretend play and physical activities, such as swimming, play parks, etc.
Key Responsibilities
- Collection from school twice weekly, with flexibility to work additional hours over weekends and holidays by prior mutual agreement
- Provide one-to-one support tailored to the child’s individual needs
- Assist with all aspects of personal care, including intimate care and toileting
- Support daily routines, including dressing, feeding, and hygiene
- Use non-verbal communication methods (e.g., symbols, gestures, or assistive technology) to engage with the child to ensure the wellbeing of the child and reduce any stress response
- Encourage play, creativity, and social interaction in a calm and structured way
- Always ensure her safety and emotional security
- Work collaboratively with parents and other professionals involved in the child’s care (e.g., therapists or educators)
- The needs of the child will vary over the day and over time, therefore, flexibility in approach and application will be required
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- A genuine passion for working with children with additional needs
- Experience supporting children with learning disabilities, non-verbal, sensory processing and/or autism and practical knowledge of how to support them
- Excellent communicator, with the ability to communicate effectively using non-verbal or alternative methods
- Understanding and sensitivity around providing intimate care for a child, whilst encouraging independence in this area
- Physically fit and able to assist with moving, handling, and personal care tasks
- Patience, empathy, calm and compassionate and emotionally resilient
- Able to build a trusting relationship with the child and family
- Reliable, punctual, respectful and professional in all aspects of the role
- Able to work flexibly and respond to the child\’s changing needs
- Confident in providing engaging and sensory activities both home based and external environments such as play centres, parks to ensure variety of life experiences to support ongoing learning and development.
- Ability to follow care plans and guidance from the child’s family and/or specialists
- Willingness to undertake training relevant to the role (e.g., safeguarding, first aid, communication methods)
- Enhanced DBS check
- References required
- Clean UK driving license and access to own vehicle
- Use of mobile phones to take pictures and share at the discretion of the parents / employer
Desirable Criteria
- Qualifications in education, childcare, education, health & social care, or therapy related fields
- Knowledge and familiarity with alternative communication tools such as PECS, Makaton, or AAC devices
- Previous experience working in a home-based setting
Application Process
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to:
Email: iltrecruitment@disabilitypartnership.org.uk
Reference: DP/AG07
The Independent Living Team will forward your application to the employer, who will arrange interviews directly.
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Personal Assistant (PA) for a Child with a Learning Disability employer: Warrington Disability Partnership
Contact Detail:
Warrington Disability Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant (PA) for a Child with a Learning Disability
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the family and child before the interview. If you can, reach out to them or do some research on their interests. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect better during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your non-verbal communication skills! Since the role involves working with a non-verbal child, being able to demonstrate how you’d engage using gestures or symbols can really impress the parents.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share examples from your past experiences that highlight your patience and empathy. Think of specific situations where you’ve successfully supported children with additional needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant (PA) for a Child with a Learning Disability
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your genuine passion for working with children with additional needs. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this role. It’s all about connecting with the child and their family!
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure your cover letter is tailored specifically to this role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially with non-verbal communication and supporting children with learning disabilities. We want to know how you can make a difference!
Be Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate professionalism, don’t shy away from showing your personality! A warm and friendly tone can help us see how you’d fit into our family dynamic. Remember, it’s all about building trust!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Warrington Disability Partnership
✨Know the Child's Needs
Before the interview, take some time to understand the specific needs of the child you'll be supporting. Familiarise yourself with common learning disabilities and non-verbal communication methods. This will show the parents that you’re genuinely interested and prepared to provide the best support.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with children who have additional needs. Share specific examples of how you've successfully supported similar children in the past, especially in areas like personal care and engaging activities. This will help build trust with the parents.
✨Demonstrate Patience and Empathy
During the interview, convey your patience and empathy through your tone and body language. You might even want to share a story that highlights these qualities. The parents will want to see that you can connect with their child on an emotional level.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask the parents about their child's routines, interests, and any specific challenges they face. This not only shows your interest but also helps you understand how to tailor your approach to meet the child's needs effectively.
