Personal Assistant for a Disabled Young Person

Cornwall Council Together for Families; Newquay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A family-based service in Newquay seeks a kind, patient personal assistant to support a fourteen-year-old autistic boy. This role offers 7 hours per week with flexible scheduling, focusing on helping him build social confidence and develop life skills through enjoyable activities such as maths and music. Applicants must have experience working with autism and a driving license is essential. Pay starts at £12.60 per hour, with potential increases based on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people with autism or similar sensory/social needs.
• Empathetic, patient, and able to create a trusting, supportive environment.
• Driving license and access to transport are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal assistance and companionship to a fourteen-year-old autistic boy.
• Support engagement in activities he enjoys, such as maths and outdoor activities.
• Assist with routines and strategies to support focus and sensory needs.

Skills

Experience working with autistic young people

Empathy

Patience

Job description

Overview

A kind and patient personal assistant is needed to support an intelligent, gentle, and private fourteen-year-old autistic boy living in the Newquay area. This role offers an average of 7 hours per week with flexible scheduling. He has a keen interest in maths and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities. He is passionate about drumming and music and thrives when engaging in new experiences, especially outdoors. However, he can sometimes find it challenging to stay engaged and has specific sensory needs, such as focusing on handwashing, cleanliness, and repetitive actions like opening and closing doors. He is also sensitive to smells and can be particular with food.

The ideal candidate will be empathetic, patient, and able to create a trusting and supportive environment. Your role will be to help him build social confidence, develop life skills, and engage positively in activities that reflect his interests.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal assistance and companionship to a fourteen-year-old autistic boy in the Newquay area.
• Support engagement in activities he enjoys (maths, outdoor activities, drumming, music) and help him participate safely and positively in new experiences.
• Assist with routines and strategies to support focus, including attention to sensory needs and practices around handwashing, cleanliness, and repetitive actions as appropriate.
• Help develop social confidence and life skills through structured, patient, and age-appropriate guidance.
• Promote independence while ensuring safety and wellbeing, including managing behaviours and seeking support when needed.

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience working with young people with autism or similar sensory/social needs is essential.
• Empathetic, patient, and able to create a trusting, supportive environment.
• Driving licence and access to transport are essential; mileage allowance will be provided.
• Successful applicant will be employed under a private arrangement with the family, not by Cornwall Council.
• All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS check (administration process by Cornwall Council).
• Due to vulnerabilities, experience with autism is required.

Compensation and terms

Pay starts at £12.60 per hour, with potential for increase based on skills and experience. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a young person’s life, helping him grow in independence and self-confidence.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this role, please send your CV. Alternatively, you can request an application form. Your CV or application form will be passed onto the family for their consideration. Due to the high number of applicants, we may not be able to inform applicants if they have been unsuccessful. Please apply by emailing a copy of your CV and quoting the reference code AADP/2001 to: [e-mail]. Note: sponsorship cannot be offered for this role.