Personal Assistant – After College & Flexible Support

UKCIL Ltd.; East Ardsley; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

UKCIL Ltd. is seeking one or more Personal Assistants to support Lizzie, a 16-year-old starting college. The role offers after-school support in East Ardsley (WF3) with an hourly rate of £13.40, flexible term-time hours and potential weekend/holiday work.

Duties include personal care, preparing meals, college tasks, and assisting with community activities, while promoting Lizzie's independence. The team will be small and flexible, with an emphasis on listening, patience and enabling Lizzie to

Qualifications

• Good communication skills and reliability are essential.
• Flexibility and a calm, encouraging approach are valued.
• Driving licence is essential to support Lizzie.
• Experience with disabilities is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with personal care and transfers (full training provided).
• Support with meals and independent living skills.
• Help with college work and leisure activities.
• Encourage decision making and independence while stepping in when needed.

Skills

Good communication skills

Reliability

Flexible and patient

Driving licence

Initiative

Education

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Personal Assistant – After College & Flexible Support - WAKEFIELD - WF3

Location: East Ardsley (WF3)
Rate of Pay: In line with Direct Payments (currently £13.40 per hour)
Hours: Flexible, term-time hours with opportunities for additional weekend/holiday work
Typical weekday availability: 3.30pm-6.15pm
Job share welcomed

We are looking for one or more Personal Assistants to support Lizzie, a funny, determined and sociable 16-year-old who is starting an exciting new chapter at college.

We don't necessarily need someone every afternoon.

As Lizzie becomes more independent, we're learning that sometimes what she wants after a busy day at college is simply some downtime at home – just like any other teenager!

We are therefore looking to build a small, flexible team around her. This could suit someone looking for one or two regular afternoons a week, rather than someone who can commit to every weekday.

There may also be opportunities for additional hours at weekends and during college holidays, particularly to support Lizzie to get out and about and do the things she enjoys. These additional hours are optional and can be discussed depending on your availability.

About Lizzie

Lizzie has Cerebral Palsy, uses a powered wheelchair and is passionate about becoming as independent as possible. She also has epilepsy, which is well controlled with medication.

She loves music, dancing, shopping, going to the cinema and spending time with friends and family. She enjoys public speaking and hopes to become a journalist in the future.

Lizzie communicates verbally and is well understood by people who know her. She also uses a communication aid to support conversations when needed.

Like many young people, Lizzie can sometimes feel anxious, particularly when routines change or she is faced with something new. She responds best to someone who is calm and encouraging and who can help her think things through without immediately stepping in or taking over.

About the Role

This is much more than a care role.

We're looking for someone who can support Lizzie as she moves towards adulthood and greater independence.

Some afternoons that might mean helping with personal care, preparing something to eat or supporting college work. On others, it might mean going shopping, heading to the cinema, meeting friends or getting out into the community.

Importantly, good support for Lizzie also means knowing when not to step in. We want the people around her to give her the time and space to make decisions, solve problems and do things for herself wherever possible.

The role may include:

• Supporting with all aspects of personal care.
• Assisting with transfers (full training provided).
• Supporting Lizzie to prepare food and develop independent living skills.
• Helping with college work where appropriate.
• Supporting her to access leisure activities and the local community.
• Encouraging her to make her own choices and become increasingly independent.
• Providing reassurance and prompting when needed, while knowing when to step back.

Who Are We Looking For?

You don't need years of care experience.

We're much more interested in finding someone who gets Lizzie, enjoys spending time with young people and understands that good support is about enabling someone rather than doing everything for them.

You might be a great fit if you are:

• Warm, patient and encouraging.
• Someone with a good sense of humour - Lizzie loves to laugh.
• Calm and emotionally mature.
• Naturally observant and able to recognise when someone needs support or reassurance.
• Comfortable using your own initiative.
• Able to step in when needed – and equally able to step back.
• Positive and solution-focused when things don't go to plan.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Flexible as Lizzie settles into college and her routines and independence develop.
• Able to build a positive relationship while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Essential

• Full UK driving licence and access to a car.
• Willingness and ability to support with transfers (full training provided).
• Good communication skills.
• Reliability and flexibility.

Desirable – But Not Essential

• Experience supporting young people or adults with physical disabilities.
• Experience or knowledge of Cerebral Palsy.
• Basic ICT skills, as Lizzie uses a communication aid and completes some college work online.

Full training will be provided, including all aspects of Lizzie's care and the use of equipment.

An Enhanced DBS check will be required and arranged through Leeds DP and PA Support Hub. Payroll is managed by Barrie Bookkeeping.