Personal Assistant

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local recruitment service for disabled support is seeking a reliable individual to assist a non-verbal woman in leading an independent life. The role involves facilitating communication using an eye-gaze computer, providing support during social activities, and ensuring her well-being. The position offers flexible hours at £14.92 per hour, totaling 15 hours per week. Applicants should be sensitive, trustworthy, and willing to engage with the individual’s needs for a fulfilling experience.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and willingness to learn.
• Basic computer skills are an advantage, but training is available.
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements and be flexible.

Responsibilities

• Assist in communication using the eye-gaze computer.
• Help with social activities like dining out and visiting places.
• Provide wheelchair assistance and general support for outings.
• Driving the employer’s Motability van, if applicable.

Skills

Reliability and Trustworthiness

Sensitive and approachable

Good time‑keeping

Sense of humour

Non‑smoker

General understanding of physical and learning disabilities

Previous experience with assistance in eating and drinking

Job description

Overview

The aim of the job is to provide the support required by the employer, a disabled woman, to enable her to lead her life independently in the way that she chooses.

As the employer is non‑verbal you will assist her to do this by watching her non‑verbal responses to your suggestions, empathising as far as possible with her and liaising with her PA and her mother as often as you feel it is necessary. What is required of you may vary depending on the activities of each day, or on how your employer’s health is on a particular day. You need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing requirements from day to day (not every day!). You should be able to use your initiative and a willingness to learn whilst at the same time being respectful of your employer’s wishes. Good communication skills and a willingness to learn are essential.

The job involves moving your employer about in her wheelchair wherever she goes. To do this job your own general good health is important.

The main focus of this job is to provide stimulating experiences and keep your employer alert and interested. She enjoys visiting places that offer sensory stimulation and social interaction. As she is non‑verbal she is learning to use a computer as a communication aid. Experience with this is not essential as training is available, but basic computer skills are an advantage. An introduction to the eye‑gaze computer system will be offered.

The position is a job share comprised of 2 days per week. There is some flexibility available for choice of days and working hours, but the successful applicant will also need to be flexible on occasion.

Responsibilities

• Social Tasks:
  • Working with the eye‑gaze computer; liaising with the supplier (Tobii Dynavox) and updating the system as necessary.
  • Offering your employer opportunities to communicate via the computer as often as possible.
  • Help to go to cafés, pubs for lunch, cinema, theatre (with or without friends!).
  • Pushing the wheelchair and providing general assistance when going out for a walk.
  • Using local bus services to go shopping for pleasure.
  • Assistance with other leisure activities e.g. reading to your employer, listening to the music she likes, reviewing the many photographs which are stored on the computer etc.
  • Identifying social and leisure activities which may interest her and arranging outings/transport (using Handycabs, taxis etc).
• Other Tasks:
  • Driving – using employer’s Motability van.
  • Any other reasonable task as agreed with PA/Mother.

Personal Qualities and Experience / Skills

• Reliability and Trustworthiness
• Sensitive and approachable
• Good time‑keeping
• Sense of humour
• Non‑smoker
• Driver (preferred – not essential).
• A good general understanding of physical and learning disabilities
• Previous experience of assistance with eating and drinking.
• Administration of mealtime medication as necessary.

Job Details

The post is for 15 hours per week and the rate of pay will be £14.92 per hour. Actual days and times to be agreed.

Point for consideration: the Carr Gomm shift pattern requires that the employer be at home at 3.00 pm each day for personal care. This means that the final period of each 7½ hour shift will probably be spent at home. I suppose this would provide an opportunity to review the activities of each day, plan the next (and wind down after all the excitement!).

At present the PA works for 6 hours per day from 9.00 am. However, this is a matter of choice, not a requirement.