Engaging & Fun Personal Assistant Wanted for Creative Young Person

Independent lives; Horsham; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Independent Lives in Horsham seeks a warm, reliable Personal Assistant to support a creative 14-year-old boy who is autistic with PDA and ADHD. The role focuses on a collaborative partnership, helping him regulate, feel secure, and explore his creative talents.

You will chat, play games, and join in activities like drama and filmmaking, as well as family days out. A valid UK driving licence and willingness to learn DBS checks are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with autism, PDA, and ADHD preferred; training available if required.
• Interest in Star Wars, Marvel, drama, and filmmaking is a plus.
• Comfortable around dogs and animal-friendly.
• Must hold a full, clean driving licence and have access to a car.

Responsibilities

• Share interests and gaming with him, including chess or online Star Wars games.
• Support his creative arts at home (drama, filmmaking, video projects).
• Join family days out and supervise activities (swimming, beach days, theme parks).
• Provide calm, patient support for emotional regulation and know when to leave early if needed.
• Assist with meals, daily routines, and looking after the family dog.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Patience

Reliability

Creativity

Tools

Driving licence

Own car

Job description

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. You are a calm, patient, and naturally chatty person who finds it easy to connect with others.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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.