Engaging & Fun Personal Assistant Wanted for Creative Young Person DP7859a

Independent Lives; Horsham; On-site; AUD 32,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent Lives in Horsham is seeking an engaging Personal Assistant to support a creative 14-year-old boy with autism, PDA and ADHD. The role requires a calm, chatty and reliable partner who can adapt to his routine and help him regulate his emotions with positive energy.

You will assist with eating and drinking, daily companionship, transport, and family activities, including outings and dog care. A full driving licence and own car are essential.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK
• DBS check may be required

Responsibilities

• Eating and drinking assistance
• Transportation
• Companionship
• Looking after pets
• Daily support and emotional regulation

Skills

Calm demeanor

Chatty

Reliable

Interpersonal skills

Timekeeping

Driving licence

Own car

Dog-friendly

Patience

Health & safety

Job description

Engaging & Fun Personal Assistant Wanted for Creative Young Person DP7859a

Details

This role is to support a Child

Drivers licence required: Yes

Own vehicle needed: Yes

Employment status: Employed

Hours per week

Afternoons, weekends, and school holidays (flexible) Please apply with your availability

Hourly pay rate

£15

We are looking for an upbeat, reliable Personal Assistant to support a wonderful, creative 14 year old boy in the Horsham area. He is autistic with a PDA and ADHD profile, meaning he thrives with a collaborative partner rather than a traditional authority figure. We want someone who is genuinely chatty, fantastic company, and able to bring positive, low-pressure energy to his routine to help him regulate, feel secure, and explore his massive creative talents.

Key Responsibilities

• Shared Interests & Gaming: Being a supportive conversationalist, chatting with him about his collections, and playing games together like chess or online Star Wars games.
• Creative Arts: Helping him develop his special interests at home, which currently include drama, filmmaking, and making short videos related to Marvel or Star Wars.
• Family Days Out: Joining the family on bigger group trips, including monthly Wednesday evening swimming at Coral Reef Bracknell (5pm-9pm, where going in the pool with him is essential), beach days with paddleboarding, and theme parks like Thorpe Park (where a parent is always present).
• Regulation: You will provide your full, dedicated attention to support his emotional regulation, including being ready to leave early and bring him home if he feels overwhelmed.
• Daily Support: Assisting with eating and drinking requirements, general companionship, and helping to look after the family dog.

About You

• You are a calm, patient, and naturally chatty person who finds it easy to connect with others.
• You have experience with or a strong willingness to learn about Autism, PDA, and ADHD (specific training in PDA is available if required).
• You share an interest in, or are enthusiastic to learn about, Star Wars, Marvel, drama, and filmmaking.
• You are comfortable and happy around dogs and like animals.
• You hold a full, clean driving licence and have your own car.

Duties include:

• Eating and drinking assistance
• Other relevant duties as required
• Transportation
• Companionship
• Looking after pets

Candidate qualities:

• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Hygienic, tidy and well organised
• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Creative
• Must be comfortable with pets
• Able to always work to high standards of health & safety
• You are a calm, patient, and naturally chatty person who finds it easy to connect with others.
• You have experience with or a strong willingness to learn about Autism, PDA, and ADHD (specific training in PDA is available if required).
• You share an interest in, or are enthusiastic to learn about, Star Wars, Marvel, drama, and filmmaking.
• You are comfortable and happy around dogs and like animals.
• You hold a full, clean driving licence and have your own car.

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. If the role is offered on a self-employed basis, you will be responsible for the cost of your own DBS check.

If you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Company: Independent Lives Salary: from £15 an hour Hours: Part-time Location: Horsham Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 30 Oct 2026 Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.