Personal Assistant - MNYNCL

Disability North; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Disability North in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a warm, positive Personal Assistant to support our amazing 12-year-old daughter to build confidence, independence and enjoy the things she loves.

She is autistic and has interoceptive difficulties around feeling full. The role focuses on getting her to activities, encouraging social engagement, and helping with communication. A calm, reassuring presence and flexibility around school holidays are valuable assets.

Responsibilities

• Support our 12-year-old daughter to get to and enjoy activities and places in the community.
• Gently encourage her to engage socially and develop her independence.
• Help her understand communication and social situations.
• Recognise when she is becoming anxious or distressed and offer reassurance, explanation or distraction.
• Be a calm, encouraging presence; a willingness to cycle with her is helpful but not essential.
• Build a trusting relationship with patience, reliability and a positive outlook.

Job description

We would also like longer hours during the holidays, and it is worth noting her school holidays are slightly longer than the usual state school holidays.

We are looking for a warm, positive and enthusiastic Personal Assistant to support our amazing 12-year-old daughter to build confidence, independence and enjoy the things she loves.

She loves nature, reading, crafts, piano playing, camping and horses, and is keen to get out and about and develop her independence. She is autistic and has interoceptive difficulties around feeling full. She can be anxious in some situations and is emetophobic. She can find groups and crowded places difficult and struggles to access transport without support.

The role would involve:

Supporting her to get to and enjoy activities and places in the community.

Gently encouraging her to engage socially and develop her independence.

Helping her understand some communication and social situations.

Recognising when she is becoming anxious or distressed and offering reassurance, explanation or distraction.

Being a calm, encouraging presence while also bringing plenty of positivity, someone who is comfortable cycling would be particularly helpful, although this isn't essential.

We are looking for someone who is patient, reliable and genuinely enjoys spending time with young people. Most importantly, we'd love to find someone who can match her energy, share a laugh with her and help her feel confident trying new things.

Experience of autism and anxiety would be helpful, but the right personality, attitude and ability to build a trusting relationship are just as important.

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.

Experience of autism and anxiety would be helpful, but the right personality, attitude and ability to build a trusting relationship are just as important.