Personal Assistant – LEYOR

Disability North; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; CAD 7,900 - 8,400; Full time

Job summary

Disability North in York is seeking Personal Assistants to support Leo, an energetic 8-year-old autistic boy, in the community with 2:1 support. You will help him participate in parks, cafes, soft play, and other child-friendly activities while ensuring safety and assisting with personal care.

This paid Direct Payments role requires flexibility for weekends and school holidays, willingness to engage in messy play and outdoor activity, and ability to communicate non-verbally.

Qualifications

• Positive, playful attitude with high energy.
• Patient, kind, emotionally resilient.
• Ability to work as part of a 2:1 support team.
• Willing to assist with personal care.
• Confident with non-verbal communication.
• Willingness to engage in messy play and outdoor activity.
• Weekend and holiday hours flexibility.
• Experience with challenging or risky behaviours.
• Driving licence and access to a car.
• Knowledge of sensory processing needs.
• Understanding of non-verbal cues and sensory triggers.
• Knowledge of child safeguarding principles.
• Experience supporting autistic children.
• PA or care experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide 2:1 support to Leo in the community (parks, cafés, soft play centres, and other child-friendly places).
• Ensure Leo’s safety at all times.
• Assist with personal care, including toileting, pad changes, and hygiene routines.
• Manage Leo’s sensory-seeking behaviours sensitively (e.g. smearing, vomiting, saliva play).
• Use non-verbal cues and gestures to understand and respond to Leo’s needs.
• Encourage play, exploration, and communication in a supportive and inclusive way.
• Work collaboratively with Leo’s family to ensure consistency and the best outcomes for Leo.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.

Skills

Positive attitude

High energy

Patience

Emotional resilience

2:1 support

Non-verbal communication

Messy play

Outdoor activity

Weekend flexibility

Calm under pressure

Job description

Join Team Leo!
Be part of the adventure — support a super fun 8-year-old!

Location: York

Hours & Pay:

• 312 hours a year (156 hours per PA)
• Roughly 3 hours per week (daytimes, afternoons, evenings – flexible!)
• Support needed at weekends during term time, and anytime during school holidays
• Paid role under Direct Payments (York City Council)
• £13.45 per hour

Are you ready for a job full of laughter, climbing, bouncing, mess, and mischief? Meet Leo — he’s 8, autistic, full of energy, and always on the move!

About the Role

Leo is a bright, adventurous, and energetic 8-year-old autistic boy who requires 2:1 support from kind, reliable, and enthusiastic Personal Assistants. He is non-verbal, sensory-seeking, and full of life. Your role will focus on supporting Leo to access fun activities in the community, keep him safe, and help with his personal care and hygiene needs.

This is a highly rewarding position for someone who enjoys working with children who have complex needs, is calm under pressure, and can embrace messy play and lots of physical activity.

Person Specification

Essential

• A positive, playful attitude and high energy
• Patient, kind and emotionally resilient
• Ability to work as part of a 2:1 support team
• Willing to support with personal care
• Confident supporting non-verbal communication
• Willingness to engage in messy play and outdoor activity
• Flexibility with hours, especially on weekends and during school holidays

Desirable

• Experience with challenging or risky behaviours
• Driving licence and access to a car
• Basic knowledge of sensory processing needs
• Basic understanding of non-verbal cues and sensory triggers
• Knowledge of child safeguarding principles
• Experience supporting autistic children
• Previous PA or care experience desirable but not essential

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 2:1 support to Leo in the community (parks, cafés, soft play centres, and other child-friendly places).
• Ensure Leo’s safety at all times.
• Assist with personal care, including toileting, pad changes, and hygiene routines.
• Manage Leo’s sensory-seeking behaviours sensitively (e.g. smearing, vomiting, saliva play).
• Use non-verbal cues and gestures to understand and respond to Leo’s needs.
• Encourage play, exploration, and communication in a supportive and inclusive way.
• Work collaboratively with Leo’s family to ensure consistency and the best outcomes for Leo.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.

Additional Notes

• Full training and guidance will be provided by Leo’s family.
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
• References will be required.
• This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life while having fun and being active.

For more information, please see the Job Description

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

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