Female Personal Assistant – SKHNCL

Disability North; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Disability North is seeking a personal assistant to support a 10-year-old with disabilities at home and in the community. Initially focused on in-home care, with training to recognise medical needs and seizures, the role will gradually extend to community activities as confidence grows.

The successful candidate must be physically capable, patient and respectful, with training provided for seizure management and emergency procedures. A female candidate is required by law.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with epilepsy and disabilities.
• Physically fit with ability to assist with toileting, dressing and mobility.
• Willingness to follow training and guidance from parents/care team.

Responsibilities

• Personal care support including toileting, hygiene and dressing.
• Assist with eating and drinking and encourage a healthy diet.
• Support social activities and access to community places.

Job description

Location: Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne

Hours: 5 hours per week term time, 10 hours per week school holidays (weekends may be requires on occasion)

Pay: £14.00 per hour

A driver is essential. You must also be able to navigate public transport systems with a specialist buggy if required.

About the Role

I am looking for an experienced personal assistant to support me within the home initially, and to get to know and recognise my medical needs and conditions with the scope of accessing the community to engage in activities later in the role, when my mum feels ready to let me venture out solo. My mum will initially support with outings and will do training on some aspects of the role. I have complex needs including Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy with paralysis, visual impairment and I have a shunt. My epilepsy presents with various seizures, and you must be experienced in being able to identify the type of seizure and the management of the different seizures. I do show tell tale signs and you must be vigilant in monitoring for these signs of onset seizures. There will be personal care involved in the role as well as assistance with getting dressed. My medication is managed by my mum, but you may need to use emergency medication which you will receive training for. I need prompts and assistance with eating and drinking too. I can become dysregulated and frustrated which will show as disruptive behaviour or refusal to participate in requests or activities.

Key Responsibilities

Personal Care Support

• Assistance with toileting, hand washing, bathing, teeth brushing and hair care.
• Support and prompts with eating and drinking. I follow a clean diet.
• Support with dressing/undressing.

Daily Living Support

• Assistance with social activities and accessing the community.
• Assistance to engage with activities I enjoy at home.
• Places I enjoy include local parks and nature walks, the beach and activity centres that I can participate in.

Mobility & Transport

• Support loading/unloading my wheelchair into/out of vehicles or on and off public transport.
• Full, clean UK driving licence is essential if you are a driver.

Who You Are

• Physically fit – able to safely lift and handle a wheelchair and keep me safe.
• Able to follow instructions carefully and work with sensitivity.
• Respectful of boundaries and personal space.
• You must have experience working with children with Epilepsy and Disabilities.
• Bubbly, happy, and outgoing.
• Naturally upbeat, positive, and compassionate.
• Good at taking the initiative but also comfortable being guided from my parents or myself.
• Responsible with strong attention to detail and vigilant always.
• Non-smoker – due to allergens.

About Me (Sarah)

I am 10 years old and attend a specialist school which I really enjoy, they have great facilities there. I enjoy music and dance and playing on my iPad. My favourite TV programmes are Gabby’s Doll House, Hey Duggie and Telly Tubbies, so we might spend time watching these, I also enjoy floor play with my big motorway mat, and I love chocolate, my mum goes mad because I always want to eat chocolate. I live with my mum and dad and we sometimes go on holidays which I love, except the travelling, why does it take so long to get there? I recently went to America which was cool!

I will initially be shy when I meet you and I struggle with transition so it may take a while for me to get used to having you around so you must be patient with me. I have some communication, but I can always articulate my needs. Routine and planned activities with explanations are key to me as this helps keep me regulated. I will require you to work with me in my home initially before we build up to going on ventures together and my mum will come along initially to support and monitor how we get on outside the home. My mum is a great teacher so following her training advice and how to manage my seizures and identify the signs will really help you.

I am excited about having a new PA and mum will be too, even though it will be a little bit strange at first.

There is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be female in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and Equality Act 2010 schedule 9 paragraphs 1 – 4.

This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.

At the time of starting their employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.