PA for Child for 4 Hours PW- LS15

UKCIL Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

UKCIL Ltd. is seeking a kind PA to support a 7-year-old child with Down Syndrome for about 16 hours per month, mainly on weekends or during school holidays in Leeds.

You will assist with personal care, accompany the child to activities, use Makaton and visual supports, and ensure safety. Experience with neurodivergent children and driving is preferred; training is provided.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with Down Syndrome or neurodivergent conditions.
• Ability to communicate using Makaton or AAC is desirable.
• Must be patient, calm, and able to supervise in home and outings.
• Full driving license and access to a car preferred.
• Non-smoker.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care assistance as needed.
• Support engaging activities and accompany to outings.
• Promote independence and safety in home and community.
• Follow care plan and communicate any concerns.

Skills

Patience

Non-verbal communication

Makaton / AAC

Active and adaptable

Driving

Job description

PA for Child for 4 Hours PW- LS15

To spend time with Child doing fun activities in the home and/or taking her out to enjoyable places or activities.

About the Service user: Service user is a 7 year old with Down Syndrome and possible autism and/or ADHD. She is friendly and enjoys spending time with supportive adults. She enjoys reading, drawing, jumping on the trampoline, sensory play, baking and eating cake, and likes animals. She likes going swimming, to the playpark and soft play.

Service user struggles to communicate verbally, and at home Makaton signing and visual symbols are used to help communicate with her.

Service user is not toilet trained and will need help with intimate care needs.

Service user is mobile and active, but needs to use a buggy when outdoors to get around and keep her safe.

She has little awareness of danger and needs careful supervision, especially when near roads.

She may run away and can disappear quickly.

Service user can struggle in unfamiliar places, especially if they are busy and if there are a lot of other children around.

She needs careful supervision around smaller children.

Main duties:Social duties:

• To support doing fun activities, such as painting, water play, reading books and baking.
• To take Service user to do hobbies such as swimming, gymnastics, and other organised activities.
• To take Service user to fun places such as the play park, the farm, and forest school.

Personal care:

• To change nappy and support using the toilet.
• To supervise when eating and ensure that any food is suitable for her.
• To ensure Service user only drinks from her own bottle, due to her unsafe swallow.

Type of person that you/they are looking for:

• We are looking for someone who is kind, caring and understanding of children with additional needs. They should ideally have experience working with children with Down Syndrome, autism, ADHD and/or learning difficulties, and be confident working and communicating with a child that has limited verbal language. This person needs to be patient and willing to take the time to understand Service user’s attempts at communication and learn the ways she communicates her needs. They need to be confident in ensuring her safety both inside and when out of the home and required to be physically active enough to keep up with Service user.

What you can expect to receive:

• Support will be given in getting to know Service user and explaining her needs, and helping the PA become confident in looking after Service user.
• Training is also available.

Hours of work:

• Around 16 hours per month.
• Days and hours of work would ideally be at the weekend or in school holidays, with school holidays being preferable. This would be flexible within these timeframes, and would be mutually agreed with the employee.

Skills, qualifications and experience – you can add skills or qualificationsthat are relevant for you:

• A knowledge of Down Syndrome, neurodivergence and/or learning disabilities.
• Experience working with children with additional needs.
• Fit enough to keep up with an active child.
• Confidence talking with and communicating with a child who has limited verbal communication.
• A willingness to support service user using other means of communication, such as Makaton, visual aids and AAC.

Preferred:

• Makaton trained.
• Ability to swim.
• Non-smoker.
• Able to drive and access to a car.

Key Responsibilities

Services

• Personal Care
• Social + Leisure activities
• Support to remain independent

Training

• Essential PA Guide
• Safeguarding Adults/Children
• Understanding challenging behaviour
• First Aid
• Autism / Aspergers

Transportation

• Full UK driving license
• Own personal car