Personal Assistant – 5013595LS

Disability North; South Shields; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A support organization for children seeks a Personal Assistant for a seven-year-old boy with special needs in South Shields. The role involves providing personal care, ensuring safety, and engaging him in preferred activities like playing with toys and going to the park. Ideal candidates should have experience with children with additional needs, and patience is essential. Training in first aid or safeguarding is a plus. The pay is age-related national minimum wage up to £12.90 per hour and requires consent to work in the U.K.

Benefits

5.6 weeks holidays pro rata

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with additional health needs or learning differences is preferred.
• Consent to work in the U.K. at the start of employment.
• First aid or safeguarding training is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and support for a child with limited mobility.
• Ensure safety at all times and support in daily activities.
• Engage the child in preferred activities indoors and outdoors.

Skills

Patience

Reliability

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Hours: 4 hours per week in each school holiday

Area: South Shields

Rates of pay: Age related national minimum wage, up to £12.90 per hour

Holidays: 5.6 weeks pro rata per annum

Role

We are looking for a Personal Assistant for a little seven-year-old boy. A woman would be preferred but Gran is willing to look at anyone who applies.

He currently lives with his maternal grandmother and has done on and off since birth. He has a diagnosis of 22Q Chromosome deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome) as well as other health conditions and this has impacted on his learning; he is nonverbal and communicates through hand leading, pointing, some Makaton and gestures. Look past the illness and this is a cheeky, loving little boy.

He is usually good with people other than Gran, but he will push boundaries to get his own way and sometimes a firm “no” is needed and to distract him.

There would be some personal care as Logan is in nappies, and does not know when he needs the toilet. He cannot walk very well and uses a buggy to get around; he will walk on his hands and knees, but can also run on tiptoes, so you would have to be aware of this as he has no road sense and could potentially go off with someone. He can be distracted by sensory input; he does not like the word “no” or that he cannot have something he wants.

He would love to spend time either in the house playing with noisy toys, watching Mr Tumble or going out to the park or the garden. He likes Metro trains, going out in the car, soft play and going out for tea. Definite ‘no’ to cucumber and messy play! Gran is doing a great job, but a Personal Assistant would help greatly during the school holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and support as needed for a child who uses nappies and has limited mobility.
• Ensure safety at all times; support in daily activities and use attention to prevent risk (e.g., potential for moving off with someone).
• Support engagement in preferred activities at home and in the community (indoors with noisy toys, park, garden, soft play, outings).
• Support communication using available means (hand leading, pointing, Makaton, gestures).
• Follow guidelines and boundaries set by the parent/guardian, including appropriate use of corrective language.

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience supporting children with additional health needs or learning differences is preferred.
• Patience, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions and routines.
• Consent to work in the U.K. at the start of employment.
• First aid or safeguarding training is desirable but not required; willingness to undertake training as part of the role.

Accessibility and application process

Please note this vacancy is not employed through South Tyneside Council but through the individual service user.

If you are unable to complete an application online, you can request one by forwarding your name and address to [e-mail] quoting the reference number you wish to apply for and you will be sent one by post. All applications will be forwarded onto the individual service user/employer. CVs will not be accepted.

This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010 schedule 9 paragraphs 1 – 4.

This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.

At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.