PA/Support Worker - Ref: 12/Stewarton/DF

Ayrshire Independent Living Network; Stewarton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Ayrshire Independent Living Network is seeking a Personal Assistant / Support Worker (part-time) in Stewarton. The role provides support and companionship to a teenage boy with Autism and PDA, initially at home with gradual community access, including activities like cinema and swimming.

The position offers flexible hours on a 4–12 hour weekly basis, with a starting rate of £13.45 per hour. Applicants must be drivers with the use of their own car; PVG disclosure and references are required.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting young adults with Autism / PDA and related anxiety is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and companionship to a teenage boy with Autism and PDA within the family home and gradually support him to access the local community.
• Encourage social activities such as cinema and other outings to build confidence and fitness.
• Assist with personal care and hygiene in a supportive, non-directive manner.
• Possess calm, patient, positive communication and the ability to relate to him on his level.
• Mileage costs are covered when using own car; driver with current licence required.

Job description

Personal Assistant / Support Worker (P/T)

Hours: 4 – 12 hrs per week (Variable)

Days / Hours: Variable – between the hours Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm

(earliest start 8am – latest finish 6pm) – Flexible to be discussed at interview

R.O.P: £13.45 per hr

Ref: 12/Stewarton/DF

Duties

Personal Assistant / Support Worker (P/T) required to provide support and companionship to a teenage boy who lives with Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance. He stays with his family in the Stewarton area. This support is flexible to allow respite for the family.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance.

His PDA causes him ongoing high anxiety which restricts his ability to leave the family home to engage in social activities, therefore the support required will build up gradually to allow a relationship and trust to develop, with flexible hours to suit his needs.

Social Support

Support will initially be within the family home with the hope that this can gradually move to supporting him to access the local community, providing encouragement and companionship to go to the cinema and activities to build up his fitness (a long term goal would be to go swimming).

He loves animals and would enjoy attending Animal Assisted Therapy at a local farm.

Personal Care

His PDA causes him to struggle with hygiene and continence. Although he is physically able to do these tasks himself, he avoids the perceived demands of these mundane / routine tasks. You therefore must be aware of when hygiene tasks are required and be able to encourage him without directly telling him what to do.

Qualities

The family are looking for applicants who are young at heart, friendly, fun and easygoing. You must be calm and supportive with the ability to encourage in a positive way. You must have good communication skills with the ability to speak to him on his own level as he struggles with formal conversation and authority. (Being ‘told’ what to do can trigger a fight, flight or freeze reaction)

Experience Required

Experience of supporting young adults with Autism / PDA and related anxiety is essential.

Applicants must be a driver, with current drivers’ licence, use of own car and business insurance. (Mileage costs will be covered by the employer if traveling for work related purposes).

The successful applicants will have to undergo a new PVG Disclosure (or update), at the employer’s expense and supply 2 reference contacts prior to appointment and undergo relevant training.

There is a 6-month probationary period attached to these posts with 1 weeks’ notice within that time if the post does not work out.

***Please note that AILN are not the employers, AILN are a Self-Directed Support Charity that offer a support, payroll & mailbox service on behalf of Individual Employers***

Ayrshire Independent Living Network

The Michael Lynch Centre

71 Princes Street

Ardrossan

KA22 8DG