Experienced Personal Assistants

Independent lives; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in Eastbourne is seeking a skilled personal assistant to enable a young woman with autism and complex needs to access a variety of activities each week. The role involves supporting her with daily living tasks, including fitness and social activities. Candidates should possess exemplary observational skills and effective communication abilities, and have a full driving licence with access to a car. Flexible working hours will be necessary, making this an adaptable role.

Qualifications

• Full driving licence, competent and confident driver, access to a car.
• Commitment to personal development and willingness to learn.
• Positive behaviour support knowledge or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support individual to remain safe, well and emotionally stable.
• Assist with daily living tasks and activities, including gym and swimming.
• Contribute to planning meetings about her life and provision.

Skills

Good observational skills

Strong written and spoken communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Honest, trustworthy, reliable

Physically fit and energetic

Good IT skills

Job description

Job Overview

Approx. 10 hours a week, ideally 6 hours on a Tuesday or Thursday to support farm activities and 4 hours on a Monday or Wednesday supporting exercise, e.g. gym, walking, swimming. Long term some weekend, evening and overnight work may be required. Flexibility around working hours may be possible for the right candidate.

Hourly Pay

£15 per hour dependent upon experience, completion of the probationary period and the achieved standard required.

Opportunity

An exciting opportunity for skilled and experienced personal assistants with a person-centred approach and initiative to enable a young woman who has autism and complex needs to access a varied and rich programme of activities throughout the week. The role will include supporting this young woman to access her work with animals and a range of bespoke and creative activities, therefore you will need a full driving licence and access to a car.

Duties

• Supporting her to remain safe, well and emotionally stable.
• Maintaining and contributing to the delivery and development of her programme of provision, her timetable of activities and her independence and life skills.
• Assisting her at home and in the community; and during activities that she is engaged in.
• Assisting with daily living tasks and activities, including gym and swimming.
• Assisting to prepare and cook food and meals.
• Assisting her on different forms of public transport.
• Assisting getting to meetings/appointments, social events, activities and providing discreet support whilst there.
• Driving (mileage paid from place of work).
• Contributing to planning meetings about her life and provision.
• Maintaining records of her activities and life goals.
• On occasions, employees may be required to perform other reasonable tasks appropriate to this type of employment.

Qualifications & Skills

• Good observational skills, strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Able to work as part of a team yet possess the confidence to work alone.
• Honest, trustworthy, reliable, responsible, patient, observant and responsive.
• Physically fit and capable, energetic and quick‑witted.
• Sense of humour, well‑judged initiative, good written and spoken communication skills.
• Able to work responsibly with colleagues, managers and other professionals.
• Flexible approach to working hours and structures and ability to work flexibly with her in the family home and out in the community.
• Commitment to personal development and willingness to learn and undertake further training.
• Able to respect privacy and confidentiality and maintain discretion at all times.
• Good IT skills, cooking and domestic skills.
• Full driving licence, competent and confident driver, access to a car.
• Competent at swimming.
• Non‑smoker preferred or willing to refrain from smoking during working hours.
• No allergies to animals; able to work around animals, especially pigs and chickens.
• Positive behaviour support (PBS) knowledge or willingness to learn.

EEO and Disability

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. The employer is Disability Confident and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role.