Personal Assistant – Activities & Community Support

Private Household; West of England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Household in Bristol is seeking two proactive Personal Assistants to support a 19-year-old autistic young man to enjoy regular activities and get into the community in and around Bristol. The role involves researching and arranging suitable activities, making bookings, encouraging participation, supporting nonverbal communication cues, and accompanying him to events with a family member.

The positions pay £21.20 per hour for 8 hours per week during term time, rising to a higher schedule

Qualifications

• Experience supporting autistic people who use little or no spoken communication.
• Patient, calm and observant.
• Reliable and consistent.
• Confident taking initiative.
• Organised and able to follow through.
• Comfortable working closely with family.

Responsibilities

• Research and suggest suitable activities, groups and outings.
• Make enquiries and bookings and help organise plans.
• Encourage participation without pressure.
• Support communication and respond to individual cues.
• Accompany him during activities.
• Drive him and a family member to activities and back.
• Work closely with the family and share ideas for new opportunities.

Skills

Patience

Observant

Reliability

Initiative

Job description

Personal Assistant – Activities & Community Support

Bristol | £21.20 per hour | 8 hours/week term time, up to 30 hours/week during college holidays | 2 positions

We are looking for two proactive, reliable Personal Assistants to support an energetic 19-year-old autistic young man to enjoy regular activities and get out into the community in and around Bristol.

He enjoys being active, including swimming, sports and outdoor activities. He uses little or no spoken communication, so we are looking for someone patient and observant who will take time to learn his individual communication cues and support him at his own pace.

A family member will usually accompany outings, so you will be working alongside the family.

What the role involves

This role is not just about accompanying someone to pre-arranged activities. We are looking for PAs who can help make activities happen.

You will

• research and suggest suitable activities, groups and outings
• make enquiries and bookings and help organise plans
• encourage participation without pressure
• support communication and respond to individual cues
• accompany him during activities
• drive him and a family member to activities and back
• work closely with the family and share ideas for new opportunities

A small amount of agreed activity research and booking time can be included within your paid weekly hours.

Who we are looking for

You should have practical experience supporting autistic people who use little or no spoken communication.

• patient, calm and observant
• reliable and consistent
• confident taking initiative
• organised and able to follow things through
• comfortable working closely with family members
• confident supporting an active young adult in the community

Relevant experience may come from personal assistance, autism support, SEND education, community support, disability services or similar work. Experience supporting teenagers or young adults would be particularly welcome.