Female Personal Assistant

Penderels Trust; Kenilworth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A private care employer in Kenilworth seeks a personal assistant for a lady with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Your responsibilities include personal care, meal preparation, and assistance with household tasks. The role offers a minimum of 18 hours per week with an hourly rate of £12.50, increasing post-probation. Candidates should possess empathy, reliability, and the ability to adapt to changing needs.

Qualifications

• Genuine interest in supporting people with disabilities.
• Good general health; should be reasonably fit.
• Willing to undergo necessary training for the role.

Responsibilities

• Support and prompt personal care tasks.
• Assist with meal preparation and serving.
• Help with household chores and general homemaking.
• Ensure safety and hygiene standards.
• Support attendance to appointments and social activities.

Skills

Honesty

Reliability

Trustworthiness

Punctuality

Empathy

Good listening skills

Flexibility

Ability to work independently

Job description

Overview

I am a 30-year-old lady living in Kenilworth with my father, who is my main carer, and we would be your Employers. I suffer from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), which causes severe fatigue, painful muscles/joints and mobility challenges. I am unable to walk or stand and I use a wheelchair. I need assistance in transferring into and out of my chair and require a personal assistant to maintain independence at home and when out. Due to my disability, I am unable to complete most personal care and daily living tasks.

Employer Disability and Health Conditions: Mobility / Physical

Employer hobbies and interests: Drawing, Reading, Watching TV, Various leisure pursuits, Eating out

Role and Responsibilities

• Support and/or prompt with personal care, including toileting, showering/bathing, getting in and out of bed, and getting dressed.
• Cooking/meal preparation and serving meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Assist with laundry, household chores, and general homemaking.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene in the kitchen, bathroom, shower room and WC.
• Support to attend appointments as necessary (e.g., hospital/doctor/dentist).
• Support to get to and from social activities and to access leisure activities.
• Assist and encourage socialising and participation in activities.
• Develop a good and trusting one-to-one working relationship.

My needs may vary from day to day and tasks may reflect this. You may be required to perform other duties as reasonably required. You have a responsibility as an employee to report all accidents to the employer immediately and to report defects or hazards. You must ensure the safety of the individual at all times.

Due to the nature of the work, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure (costs will be covered).

Transport

• Car driver is essential with business insurance

Required Skills

• Be honest, reliable, trustworthy and punctual.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy, including prohibition of social media use related to the job.
• Ability to work on own initiative and follow instructions accurately.
• Be patient, sensitive, supportive and caring; have good listening skills and provide non-judgemental emotional support.
• Be empathetic. Previous caring experience is not essential, but genuine interest in supporting people with a disability/illness to achieve their goals is required.
• Flexibility would be advantageous due to variable hours. Be self-motivated and willing to get involved. Have a lively personality and a good sense of humour.
• Ability to work flexibly, adapting to the employer's needs on a daily basis.

Required Training

• Successful candidates may be required to undertake any training considered necessary and appropriate to the role.
• Moving and Handling: Training will be provided by the employer. Pushing and manoeuvring a wheelchair is necessary; the candidate should be reasonably fit and in good general health.

Compensation and Schedule

• Hourly Rate of Pay: £12.50 rising to £13.00 after successfully completing probation.
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Hours per week: Minimum of 18
• Typical days/times required: Tuesday 11:30–17:30; Wednesday 11:30–17:30; Thursday 11:30–17:30
• Occasionally days and times may vary, with occasional evening/weekend shifts, sleep-ins and travel may be required (discuss at interview).