Personal Assistant

Pembrokeshire Direct Payments; Clynderwen; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A Direct Payments client in Pembrokeshire is seeking a Personal Assistant to support a 26-year-old young man with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). The role involves providing caring support, accompanying him on outings, and assisting with personal care needs. Applicants should exhibit patience, empathy, and flexibility. This long-term position offers a minimum pay of £12.60 per hour, with additional benefits such as 5.6 weeks of holiday per year and training provision.

Benefits

5.6 weeks holiday per year (pro rata)

Sick pay at SSP rate

Training provided if required

Qualifications

• Experience with individuals who have profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) is desired but not essential.
• A full, clean driving licence and business use on vehicle insurance are required.

Responsibilities

• Support a 26-year-old individual with PMLD in daily activities.
• Accompany the individual on outings and assist with personal care.
• Maintain cleanliness in the living environment and prepare light meals.

Skills

Empathy

Patience

Flexibility

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Reporting to: The Direct Payments Recipient (The Direct Payments Recipient is the employer, and they hold all the employer’s responsibilities associated with this role. Pembrokeshire County Council supports them to fulfil their employer obligations).

A Direct Payments client in Pembrokeshire is looking to employ a Personal Assistant to support them with their care needs. This post is funded through the Direct Payments scheme, which aims to enable the client to manage their support and meet their care needs independently. The successful applicant should be friendly and supportive and be able to work flexibly to meet the care needs of the client. They should be able to support the client to make their own decisions around their care needs and encourage them to maintain their independence.

Job Description

Are you caring, patient, kind and able to empathise with people who have PMLD? Do you know what PMLD stands for? If you do, and said ‘yes’ to the first question, you might well be someone who can help us. Have you ever come across things like Intensive Interaction and real person-centred planning as well? If so, things are looking even better! But what are we after?

Well... a twenty-six year old young man with PMLD, who lives with us, his Nan and Grandad in a bungalow which was built for him. It has been extensively equipped with stuff like a tracking hoist system through three rooms and a riser bath; things that help make looking after him that little bit easier.

So, what is it we want? Well, just a bit of vital help really. Covid-19 has had an ongoing impact on Warren’s life… as, of course it affected everyone’s. But for someone who probably doesn’t understand what has happened, the impact is certainly greater. We very much want to be able to get out and about with our grandson on at least a couple of days each week. Trips to places like Folly Farm, the art gallery at St David’s and the Cathedral, as well as other places like the Botanic Gardens, Llanelli Wetlands, Whitesands or similar would be great. He also needs time at home, with a companion who might enjoy helping him get creative and make his mark with paints, just sit in the garden or enjoy a movie together. You don’t need to worry about how you’d manage to look after him, because Grandad will be around, and Nan too, if we can drag her out of her garden in the summer!

We do expect you to take a genuine interest in our grandson and get to know him over time. We will expect you to show some initiative of your own eventually! Our grandson is generally a placid person, with a great sense of humour, but can be challenging at times when he’s frustrated by not being able to communicate, perhaps if he’s ill, or maybe something is not right in his world. Being non-verbal leads people to think he doesn’t understand what we’re talking about: a big mistake! We have plenty of fun work potentially available for the right person or people, and this could be a very enjoyable, secure and extremely rewarding long-term position with as much training as you might need thrown in, with appropriate outside agencies. You will be delighted when he finally looks you in the eye and smiles at you... that’s a promise. You need the patience, empathy and kindness we mentioned, and the ability to leave any preconceptions at the front door. If you already have experience of working with people who have PMLD or other learning difficulties, that’s great but not necessarily vital. There will be some element of personal care involved, and a bit of help with keeping his rooms clean and tidy, perhaps making the occasional snack or light meal, but nothing too demanding. We are looking for help on weekdays, but some evenings and weekends may be an option or an added extra, we’re flexible on that. A night out at the theatre, anyone? If you’re interested in this job and/or want to know more about the role, then we’d like to meet up for a coffee and a chat as soon as possible. The lunches come later! We’ll be paying a minimum of £12.60 per hour. We’re very much looking forward to meeting you.

Other Requirements

• A full, clean driving licence and use of a car is required.
• You must have business use on your vehicle insurance to be able to use the vehicle within work hours.

Benefits

• 5.6 weeks holiday per year (pro rata)
• Sick pay at SSP rate
• Training is provided if required.

Disclaimer

Please note that this vacancy is not for employment with Pembrokeshire County Council. Pembrokeshire County Council has posted this advert on behalf of a Direct Payments client. The client will be the employer and holds all the employer’s responsibilities associated with this role. Pembrokeshire County Council cannot be held responsible for any actions arising out of the job role being advertised.

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is of high importance and is everybody’s business. If you have any concerns about the safeguarding of an individual, you should contact the Local Authority as soon as possible.

This appointment is subject to a DBS disclosure check, at no cost to the applicant. We recommend that the applicant register using the update service. Being on this service will enable you to speed up any future job applications for personal assistant roles. Please note that there is a charge of £16.00 per year applicable to this service, which will be refunded.

We request that all applicants submit online applications. If you cannot do this, please contact the Direct Payments Team on 01437 775655. Additionally, if you have any further needs or require any further support in the recruitment process, please get in touch with the Direct Payments team at 01437 775655 or by emailing [e-mail]