Equine Enthusiast

Independent lives; Horsham; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent lives is seeking a Personal Assistant to support a creative young girl in Horsham. The role involves accompanying her to pony yard, assisting with grooming, tacking up and after-school riding sessions.

You will also join local outings and family days, keeping safety and emotional wellbeing at the forefront. The ideal candidate is warm, chatty, reliable and comfortable around horses, dogs and pets.

Qualifications

• Applicant must be reliable, with good timekeeping and organisation.
• Comfortable around pets and horses; able to adapt to a flexible schedule.
• Willingness to learn about autism, PDA and ADHD, with supportive, low-demand approach.

Responsibilities

• Accompanying the child to pony yard and riding sessions, grooming, tacking up and yard care.
• Participating in local outings and activities with the child (parks, activities, visits).
• Support emotional regulation and maintain a calm, positive environment.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing during all activities and outings.

Skills

Reliable

Timekeeping

Interpersonal skills

Creative

Pet-friendly

Driving licence

Job description

Are you a warm, chatty animal lover who wants a rewarding role that gets you out in the fresh air and around horses? We are seeking a reliable Personal Assistant to support a vibrant, creative young 10 year old girl in Horsham who is absolutely horse-mad! She is autistic with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD profile, meaning she responds best to a friendly peer rather than a strict authority figure. The ideal candidate is great company, naturally conversational, and excited to build a trusting relationship centered around shared passions., The Ultimate Equine Companion: Accompanying her to her pony share yard for late afternoon/early weekday evening riding sessions and yard care, with occasional weekend visits to pony shows. Whether it's grooming, tacking up, or chatting about all things horses, you will be right by her side sharing her passion.

Key responsibilities

• Hobby Horse Jumping & Crafts: Bringing the equine fun home! Getting stuck into hobby horse jumping courses in the garden and local area, crafting, and building out of boxes.
• Community Outings: Heading out into the community for active, fun visits to local parks, woods, bowling, or climbing. Accompanying her to SEND activity days (such as ASPENS or Lodge Hill)
• Family Days Out: Joining the family on bigger group adventures, including monthly Wednesday evening swimming at Coral Reef Bracknell (5pm-9pm), beach days with paddleboarding, and theme parks like Thorpe Park (where a parent is always present).
• Regulation: You will provide your full attention to support her emotional regulation, using a low-demand approach, and being ready to bring her home early if she feels overwhelmed.
• You have a genuine love for horses and are entirely comfortable in a stable yard environment.
• You have experience with, or a strong willingness to learn about, Autism, PDA, and ADHD (specific training in PDA is available if required).
• You are comfortable and happy around dogs, as we have a friendly dog at home.
• You hold a full, clean driving licence and have access to your own vehicle for transport to the yard and local outings.
• You are comfortable around water and essential to join in the pool during swimming trips.

You are enthusiastic, outgoing, and inherently easy to talk to.

Looking after pets

Candidate qualities

• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
• 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.

Late afternoons/early weekday evenings, weekends, and school holidays (flexible)

Hourly pay rate

£15