PA/Support Worker for Child with Complex Needs

Independent lives; Crawley; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent Lives is seeking a compassionate Personal Assistant to provide weekend morning support for a non-verbal child with autism and complex medical needs. The role covers Saturdays and Sundays, with full assistance for eating, drinking and toileting, and requires calm, patient care and strict safety.

You should have training and practical experience in ABA techniques, and the ability to follow consistent behavioural strategies used at home and school.

Qualifications

• Training and practical experience in ABA techniques.
• Experience supporting children with complex medical needs and feeding support.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours safely and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on support with eating, drinking and toileting.
• Provide weekend morning care on Saturdays and Sundays.

Skills

ABA techniques

Behaviour management

Timekeeping

Interpersonal skills

Observant

Job description

We are looking for a compassionate, confident, and highly experienced Personal Assistant to provide dedicated weekend morning support for a child with complex medical and additional needs. This role is for Saturdays and Sundays and would suit someone who is patient, calm under pressure, and genuinely passionate about supporting children with disabilities and behavioural challenges. The ideal candidate must have training and practical experience in ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) techniques and be able to follow consistent behavioural strategies used at both home and school. The child can display behaviours that challenge, including hitting, kicking, hair pulling, and self-injurious behaviours, so experience managing similar situations safely and professionally is essential. This is a hands‑on support role requiring full assistance with eating, drinking, and toileting. The child is non‑verbal, uses a wheelchair, has low muscle tone, autism, multiple heart and kidney conditions, and requires close supervision and attentive care at all times. Experience supporting children with complex medical needs and feeding support is highly desirable. We are seeking someone who is kind, reliable, observant, and able to build trust while maintaining a safe and structured environment. A calm and consistent approach is very important in helping the child feel secure and supported. If you have the right experience, a caring nature, and the ability to work confidently with children with complex needs and challenging behaviours, Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality

• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
• Hygienic, tidy and well organised
• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Creative
• Able to always work to high standards of health & safety
• Experienced and trained in ABA techniques and challenging behaviours

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. If the role is offered on a self‑employed basis, you will be responsible for the cost of your own DBS check.