Personal Assistant (2:1 support)

Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Pontyclun; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Dewis Centre for Independent Living in Pontyclun, Wales, seeks a patient personal assistant to support a 16-year-old girl with autism and learning difficulties in community activities and at home.

You will accompany her to social and leisure activities, travel in your own vehicle, supervise to ensure safety, and provide calm, patient, reliable support with routines and transitions, respecting her personal space and preferences.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting a young person with autism or learning difficulties is preferred.
• Calm, patient and able to work at the pace required by the individual.
• Must have access to own transport and be non smoker.

Responsibilities

• Travel to activity locations in your own vehicle and supervise the individual.
• Support social and leisure activities in the community.
• Provide supervision at home when needed to allow parents to run errands.

Skills

Driver with own vehicle

Non smoker

Vigilant

Patient

Punctual

Reliable

Active and energetic

Flexible hours

Positive attitude

Initiative

Respectful

Shared interests

Job description

I am a 16-year-old girl living with my parents and sister in the Llantrisant area. I have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and learning difficulties. My disability means I have a great need for routine as I can sometimes get upset and anxious. I get quite claustrophobic and really don't like loud noises or large crowds. I like quiet places with lots of space. It takes me time to process things and transition from activity to activity or place to place, so I need someone who is calm and patient to be with me. I do not like to be rushed. I can communicate my basic needs and say a few words and phrases (some are clear, some are not) but have difficulties in understanding questions and conversing. Although I often need my own space, I do sometimes like some sensory input.

At home I like to spend time on my iPad and relax. I sometimes enjoy fiddling with my sensory toys. I Like to go out in the car and look out the window at the environment as t pass. I sometimes like going to the park. I have no sense of danger, so I need someone to always watch me when I'm outside, particularly around road safety and water. When I am outside, I can take time to walk and transition from place to place or place to the car, so time and patience is often needed. I don't like being too close to other members of the public, so it is important I always have my own personal space. I occasionally enjoy swimming., My parents are looking to employ a personal assistant to work alongside another PA (already in place) to help and support me to go out into the community and undertake social and leisure activities. This would involve travelling to the location of the activity in your vehicle, supervising me and ensuring my safety whist I'm there. I require support with all aspects of being out and about. Sometimes, the role may involve supervising me at home so my parents can leave the house to run errands.

• Driver with access to own vehicle.
• Must be a non smoker
• Someone vigilant, present in the moment and pays attention at all times.
• Someone friendly, approachable and has patience.
• Someone punctual and reliable as routine is very important to me.
• Someone quite active and energetic
• Flexible with hours of work.
• Positive approach to the job.
• Confident and able to work on your own initiative.
• Respectful of other people's homes and property.
• Someone who shares my interests and can suggest things to do.