Female Personal Assistant – TASWNCL

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

Job summary

Disability North is seeking a kind Personal Assistant to support Tallulah, helping her enjoy activities, build independence, and experience new things. The role is based in Newcastle with two days per week and six hours total, at £14 per hour.

You will work with Tallulah’s mum to provide patient, reliable care and to learn her unique communication style. The position requires experience with autism and complex needs, plus willingness to follow medical care plans and respond to emergencies.

Qualifications

• Experience with autism and children with additional needs.
• Confident supporting non-speaking or minimally speaking children.
• Able to recognise and respond to non-verbal communication and cues.
• Comfortable providing personal care and sensory support when needed.
• Willing to follow medical care plans and respond to emergencies.
• Experience with EpiPens, anaphylaxis and seizures is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support Tallulah in daily activities and outings.
• Encourage independence and participation in hobbies.
• Learn to recognise her communication cues and follow care plans.
• Follow medical and emergency care procedures.
• Provide a warm, patient and reliable companionship.

Skills

Autism experience

Non-speaking communication

Non-verbal cues

Personal care experience

Medical emergency awareness

Job description

We are looking for a kind, caring, patient and reliable Personal Assistant (PA) to support our lovely daughter Tallulah, giving her opportunities to enjoy activities, have fun, develop her independence and experience new things.

Hours

Two days per week. Six hours per week. Additional hours may be available. During school holidays and half terms. Successful applicant to choose preferred days.

Rate

£14.00 per hour

Location

Newcastle/surrounding areas

Tallulah Has

• Autism
• Global developmental delay
• Sensory processing disorder
• Speech and communication delay

Tallulah Has Very Limited Communication And Is Predominantly Non-speaking. She Has Recently Started Saying a Few Words And Loves To Sing. She Needs Someone Who Is Patient, Attentive And Understanding, Who Can Learn To Recognise Her Individual Ways Of Communicating, Understand Her Cues And Help Her Feel Safe, Understood And Supported. She Is a Very Loving, Affectionate Little Girl With a Wonderful Personality Who Loves

• Singing and dancing
• Swimming
• Painting and arts and crafts
• Playing and exploring
• Sensory activities and fun days out

Tallulah’s Additional Medical Needs

Tallulah has a history of seizures and currently experiences episodes of vacant staring/possible absence seizures, which are under investigation. She also has anaphylaxis and carries emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (EpiPens). It is essential that the successful applicant is confident supporting a child with complex additional needs, is willing to undertake any necessary training and can follow her medical and emergency care plans. Tallulah also experiences significant sleep difficulties, so someone who understands the additional challenges that can come with neurodevelopmental conditions would be ideal.

The hours

Two days per week. Six hours per week. Additional hours may be available. During school holidays and half terms. The successful applicant can choose which two days they would prefer to work. Mum is completely flexible and has no preference on which days.

Pay

£14.00 per hour.

What We Are Looking For

• Warm, loving, patient and trustworthy.
• Experienced With Autism And Children With Additional Needs.
• Confident supporting non-speaking or minimally speaking children.
• Able to recognise and respond to a child’s non-verbal communication and individual cues.
• Comfortable supporting personal care and sensory needs, where required.
• Confident following medical care plans and responding to emergencies.
• Fun, energetic and happy to get involved in activities.
• Reliable and genuinely interested in building a positive relationship with Tallulah.
• Experience with EpiPens, anaphylaxis and seizures would be advantageous. Appropriate training and willingness to learn are essential.

Why this role matters

I am a single mum and Tallulah’s sole carer. Whilst I have a large family not one of my family help support myself or my child and I have no informal support network to help with childcare. I absolutely adore my little girl, but caring for a child with complex additional needs around the clock can be exhausting, particularly without any regular respite. I am looking for someone special who can give Tallulah two enjoyable days each week during school holidays, while allowing me a little time to rest, recharge and look after myself. This isn’t simply a babysitting role. It is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to a little girl’s life and to support a mum who really needs a helping hand.

Employment requirements

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.