Personal Assistant for a young person F/T@12.40/hr in LS16 North Leeds - Leeds - LS16

Job Title: Personal Assistant (PA)

Reporting to: Grace Grant

Location: North Leeds

Job Purpose:

To assist with a variety of tasks which will enable/assist the employer/person who needs care and support to live their personal and social life according to their wishes and interests.

About the Employer:

Molly is a lively, happy seven-year-old who loves singing, playing and listening to music, role-playing games, and bouncing on the trampoline. Molly has Down Syndrome and has associated developmental delays. She is also on the pathway for assessment for Autism and/or ADHD. Molly can speak in full sentences to express her thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs, but her speech clarity can be poor. She uses Makaton and visual timetables (e.g., a Now and Next board) to support her understanding of others and her communication as she takes longer to process information. Molly can walk but uses a wheelchair for longer distances and to keep her safe when out and about as she has no awareness of danger. She is currently toilet training and has made significant progress since she started wearing pants in February 2024 through the use of timed toileting.

Main Duties:

Social Duties:

1. Support during family outings
2. Keep in touch and socialise with family and friends
3. Attend classes
4. Engage in hobbies such as going to the park or playing at home
5. Attend social events such as music gigs or the cinema

Personal Care:

Molly will need support with toileting, including prompting to go and intimate care linked to this. She will need help dressing and undressing if activities require changing and will need support with food and drink (e.g., cleaning face and hands afterwards). These duties may vary from day to day.

Type of Person Required:

Values: Honest, reliable, punctual, non-judgemental, ability to build good relationships based on trust and respect, flexible, adaptable, easy-going, able to work alone and with family members, patient, willingness to travel, understands equality and diversity, positive and encouraging. Willingness to learn new skills and methods.

What You Can Expect to Receive:

Makaton training will be provided where needed. During the first few weeks, sessions will be with Grace Grant and within/around the family home to build a relationship with Molly and familiarity with her needs and the environment. A more in-depth file on Molly’s needs and current methods in use to support her will be supplied to support and further understanding.

Hours of Work:

6 hours per week during school holidays. Flexible hours to be agreed.

Rate of Pay:

£12.40 per hour

Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

1. Driving licence
2. Car and appropriate insurance
3. Knowledge of English
4. Able to swim
5. Confidentiality
6. Good at building relationships
7. Specialist communication skills, for example, British Sign Language or Makaton, or a willingness to learn them
8. Good communicator

Preferred:

1. Computer literate
2. Good communicator
3. Previous experience with children with Down Syndrome or neurodivergent conditions
4. Ability to support people with behaviours which challenge