Personal Assistant – BCNCL

Disability North; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Disability North in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a friendly Personal Assistant to support Brian in the community and help him build confidence and independence. The role involves taking part in activities, visiting charity shops, and facilitating participation at a pace that suits him.

You will develop a trusting relationship, encourage new experiences, and support Brian as he gradually uses buses and public transport while recognising his sensory needs and comfort levels.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting a young person or adult with additional needs is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Support Brian to access enjoyable activities in the community.
• Visit charity shops and explore his interests.
• Encourage new experiences and maintain a calm, comfortable environment.
• Help him build confidence with buses and public transport.
• Recognise verbal and non-verbal cues to know when extra support is needed.
• Foster a trusting, patient relationship.

Skills

Patient

Calm and reassuring

Friendly

Reliable

Job description

Hours: Up to 1 day per week

Rate of Pay: £15.00 per hour

Location: Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne

About Brian

Brian is an 18-year-old young man looking for a friendly, patient and supportive Personal Assistant to help him get out and about, enjoy his interests and build his confidence and independence.

Brian loves Toy Story, Mario and visiting charity shops. He enjoys spending time exploring his interests and would like someone who can support him to take part in activities, try new experiences and have fun.

Brian can find busy places uncomfortable, so it is important that his PA understands this and can support him to access the community at a pace that feels comfortable for him.

About the Role

A key part of the role will be building a positive and trusting relationship with Brian.

You will support Brian to access activities he enjoys, discover new opportunities and make positive and informed choices while encouraging his independence.

Brian is currently uncomfortable travelling on buses. One of the longer-term goals of the role will be to gradually support Brian to become more comfortable and confident using public transport, working at his pace and providing reassurance along the way.

As you get to know Brian, you will also learn to recognise and understand his individual non-verbal cues, helping you understand when he is comfortable, uncertain or may need additional support.

The role will include:

• Supporting Brian to access enjoyable activities in the community
• Visiting charity shops and exploring his interests
• Finding new activities and experiences that Brian may enjoy
• Supporting Brian in environments that are calm and comfortable for him
• Helping him manage situations where places may become busy or overwhelming
• Gradually building Brian’s confidence using buses and public transport-em
• Encouraging Brian to make choices and develop greater independence
• Providing reassurance and guidance when making decisions
• Building a consistent, trusting and positive relationship
• Learning and responding to Brian’s verbal and non-verbal communication
• Supporting Brian to have fun, build confidence and enjoy new experiences

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Patient, friendly and approachable
• Calm and reassuring
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Happy to take time to build a genuine relationship with Brian
• Able to recognise that confidence and trust develop over time
• Comfortable supporting someone in the community
• Positive about promoting choice and independence
• Willing to encourage new experiences without putting Brian under pressure
• Understanding of sensory needs and why busy environments may be difficult

Previous experience supporting a young person or adult with additional needs would be helpful, but the most important qualities are patience, reliability and a genuine desire to help Brian build confidence and independence.

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