Carer/Personal Assistant/Direct Payments

Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd; Blackmill; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local support organization in Wales seeks a Personal Assistant to support a 16-year-old boy with ASD and ADHD. The role involves engaging the child in enjoyable activities, ensuring safety, and possibly driving him to various outings. A cheery disposition and experience with children is preferred, while training and support will be provided. This is a rewarding opportunity with flexible hours upon agreement.

Benefits

5.6 weeks holiday per year (pro rata)

Sick pay at SSP rate

Training provided

Qualifications

• Cheery disposition and prior experience is preferred.
• Time to bond with the child is important for reward in sessions.
• Experience with PECS, sign language, or Makaton is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Support a 16-year-old boy with ASD and ADHD on various activities.
• Ensure safety and supervise the child at all times.
• Drive the child to activities or use public transport if necessary.

Skills

Experience working with children/adolescents with additional learning needs

Patience and understanding communication difficulties

Ability to bond with a child

Mindfulness of safety

Job description

Overview

Job title: Personal Assistant

Location: Activity based locations locally

Hours of work: 6 hours term time; 12 hours half terms

Rate of pay: £13.75 per hour

Main Duties

• To support a 16 year old boy who has ASD and ADHD, out on various activities or settings that he will enjoy. These activities have included but are not limited to library visits; walks in park or forest; visit to Margam Park; swimming; soft play sessions; Jump Jam; MacDonalds for lunch or dinner and going to the shops such as toy or book shops.
• More than one activity may be present in a session, dependent on how long it will be for.
• Preferably, the PA needs to drive and have access to own car, to be able to take him home, aid him to travel to and back from activities. (In the event driving is not available then bus and train can be used, giving him plenty of support).
• Preferably, one session on weekend and one mid-week; these details can be worked out between the PA and parents.
• Parents have a degree of flexibility around such arrangements, as long as changes are discussed and agreed ahead of time (according to the Contract of Employment).

Person Specification

• This role would suit a person with a cheery disposition and some prior experience working with children/adolescents with additional learning needs.
• As this boy has a limited capacity, he speaks in single words and is mostly non-verbal. Experience with these communication difficulties and patience to learn his likes and dislikes are an advantage in the role.
• He is fun-loving and has enjoyed his PA visits, particularly when given some choice in what to do in sessions; this builds his sense of autonomy. Therefore, this role would suit someone who will take time to bond with him and, once they do, sessions can be very rewarding.
• Any experience supporting language with PECS; sign language or Makaton is an added bonus, though not required.
• The PA needs to be mindful of safety and supervise him at all times, as his ASD and ADHD mean he does not fully understand about dangers to himself.

Benefits

• 5.6 weeks holiday per year (pro rata).
• Sick pay at SSP rate if earning £120.00 or more per week.
• Training provided to support you in your role.

Compliance

This appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check, which will incur no cost to the applicant. If you have an online update DBS you have a greater chance of becoming shortlisted for this position as this can help the employer to recruit much quicker. If you wish to update your current DBS please go to the update service at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Disclaimer

Please note that although you may have received these job details via BCBC they are acting on the employer’s behalf and cannot be held responsible for any actions arising out of your employment.