Personal Assistant

Penderels Trust; Houghton-le-Spring; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Houghton-le-Spring is seeking a Personal Assistant to support an individual with disabilities. The role involves assisting with daily tasks, promoting social activities, and providing emotional support. Applicants should be reliable, empathetic, and flexible in their working hours. A driving license is essential for this role, and no previous caregiver experience is required. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on someone's life.

Qualifications

• Must be a car driver and car owner with business insurance.
• No previous caring experience is necessary, but a genuine interest in supporting people is required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect privacy.

Responsibilities

• Assist with household chores and support with correspondence.
• Support and prompt to attend appointments as needed.
• Help with shopping and encourage socialization.
• Promote independence and friendships.

Skills

Honesty, reliability, trustworthiness

Empathy

Good listening skills

Ability to work independently

Flexibility to adapt to daily needs

Job description

About the Employer

About the employer I am both the employer and service user, who has been allocated a direct payment to employ a PA and enable me to access social opportunities and assist me with day-to-day life. I am diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), OCD, general anxiety and depression. Dyscalculia (learning disability) IBS and complex PTSD I live independently in my own home with my partner. I am physically able and can manage most day-to-day tasks between us however, I find it difficult and challenging to go out socially without someone to support. I can become socially anxious, and this can at times be overwhelming. The support of a PA will provide reassurance and enable me to access the community, try new things and allow me to complete general tasks with their assistance. This will also allow me to leave a situation or environment quickly, if I suffer with my anxiety. I am seeking a PA who is down to earth, patient and understanding of the implications and challenges I am presented with. The person I am looking for will be required to assist me to appointments, help and support me with shopping, managing correspondence and paperwork. Prompting to manage household tasks and enable me to access social opportunities within the community. I have severe food intolerances and IBS which limit what I am able to eat, as such I will need to carefully plan outings to ensure I have access to rest rooms and food that I am able to consume without implications. We are animal lovers and have a range of pets we care for, so will require someone who is like-minded. I enjoy comic-cons, collecting soft toys and unusual items and have a keen interest in taxidermy. I am seeking to recruit an experienced PA who has knowledge and understanding of the traits associated with my disabilities. Someone with a calm nature, good sense of humour and communication skills, with the flexibility to meet my needs.

Summary of duties

• The PA will be required to support me when out and about
• Careful planning of activities in advance and preparation is required
• Activities may include:
  • Assisting me in managing correspondence and appointments
  • Assisting me in attending appointments
  • Going to the beach/Parks and for walks outdoors
  • Going shopping
  • Prompting with general day-to-day tasks around the home
  • Supporting and encouraging me to access activities in the community
  • Supporting me to attend events and social outings of my choice

Employer Disability and Health Conditions

• Cognitive / Learning
• Mental Health
• Invisible

The employer's hobbies and interests

• Shopping
• Comi-con
• Being outdoors/ parks/feeding ducks

Other relevant information

• The individual has allergies. Food intolerance .
• The individual keeps pets in the home. cats/snake, tarantula/hamster.

About the Role

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with household chores and general homemaking.
• Support and/or prompt to attend appointments as necessary, e.g. hospital/doctors.
• Support with food shopping.
• Support and/or prompt the individual to access sporting and leisure activities.
• Assist and encourage socialisation, participating in activities.
• Promote and encourage friendships and independence.
• Develop a good and trusting one to one working relationship.
• Support with managing paperwork & correspondence.

The individuals needs may vary from day to day and your tasks may reflect this. You could be required to perform other duties as reasonably required.

You have a responsibility as an employee to report all accidents to the employer immediately. You have a duty to report defects and / or hazards which may give rise to an accident. You are to ensure the safety of the individual at all times.

Due to the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure (costs will be covered).

Transport Requirement

Car driver and car owner – must have business insurance.

Required Skills

• Be honest, reliable, trustworthy and punctual.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy, including the prohibited use of social media in relation to the job role.
• To be able to work on own initiative.
• Be patient, supportive and caring.
• Have good listening skills and be able to provide non-judgemental emotional support.
• Be empathetic.
• Previous caring experience is not essential, however you should have a genuine interest in supporting people with a disability/illness to achieve their goals.
• Be able to work flexibly, adapting to the employers needs on a daily basis.
• Flexibility would be an advantage as the hours may be variable.
• Be self-motivated with a willingness to get involved.
• Have a lively personality.
• Someone with a laid-back approach, good sense of humour and ability to converse openly.

Specific days/times required

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Dates and times are flexible and can be discussed at interview.