Personal Assistant / Support Worker – Kelso – 3216

Encompassborders; Kelso; Remote; GBP 1,400 - 1,600; Part time

Job summary

Encompassborders seeks a patient Personal Assistant / Support Worker in Kelso to support a young boy with complex autism. The role is 2 hours per week, focusing on building trust, communication, and community engagement.

You will work with the family and healthcare team to apply positive behaviour support, de-escalation, and guidance on epilepsy and ARFID as needed.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience supporting autistic children or young people with complex needs.
• Good understanding of autism and non-verbal communication.
• Experience supporting children or young people who may display behaviours that challenge.
• Good understanding of positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
• Ability to work calmly and safely in potentially challenging situations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt communication to the individual.
• Willingness to undertake and follow specific training and guidance relating to epilepsy, ARFID, PICA, and the young person’s other support needs.

Responsibilities

• Spend time getting to know the young person and building a trusting relationship.
• Develop an understanding of his individual communication style, needs, preferences, and routines.
• Use appropriate non-verbal communication approaches to support interaction and understanding.
• Provide calm, patient, and consistent one-to-one support.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to behaviours that may challenge, using agreed positive support and de-escalation strategies.
• Support the young person to develop confidence and, where appropriate, independence.
• Once a positive relationship has been established, support him to access suitable activities and spend time within the local community.
• Encourage participation in enjoyable activities at his own pace.
• Follow agreed guidance and care plans provided by the family and relevant healthcare professionals.
• Develop an understanding of the young person’s epilepsy, including seizure management, following appropriate information and training.
• Develop an understanding of ARFID and follow the guidance provided around his individual needs.
• Be mindful of the additional considerations associated with PICA and other complex needs.
• Provide reassurance and positive encouragement.
• Work in a person-centred way, respecting his individual needs, preferences, communication, and choices.
• Maintain appropriate communication with the family and wider support team.

Skills

Autism support

Non-verbal communication

De-escalation

Communication

Epilepsy training

ARFID training

PICA training

Job description

Personal Assistant / Support Worker – Kelso

A young boy living in Kelso is looking for an experienced, patient, and compassionate Personal Assistant / Support Worker to provide two hours of one-to-one support each week.

The young person has severe autism and is non-verbal, with profoundly complex support needs. He has ADHD, global developmental delay, epilepsy, PICA, ARFID, an associated learning disability, and behaviours that can present significant challenges to both himself and others. He is supported by multiple healthcare professionals in relation to his needs.

Due to the complexity of the role, we are looking for someone with considerable experience supporting autistic children with complex needs, alongside a good understanding of non-verbal communication and positive approaches to supporting behaviours that may challenge.

Initially, the role will focus on getting to know the young person and building a positive, trusting relationship. This will be an important first step in understanding his communication, preferences, routines, and individual needs. As the relationship develops, the successful candidate will support him to access activities and enjoy time within the local community.

The successful applicant will need to be confident, patient, observant, and able to remain calm in potentially challenging situations. A good understanding of de-escalation strategies and how to respond appropriately to behaviours that may challenge is essential.

Specific information and training relating to epilepsy seizure management and ARFID will be shared with and provided to the successful applicant as appropriate upon appointment.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

• Spend time getting to know the young person and building a trusting relationship.
• Develop an understanding of his individual communication style, needs, preferences, and routines.
• Use appropriate non-verbal communication approaches to support interaction and understanding.
• Provide calm, patient, and consistent one-to-one support.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to behaviours that may challenge, using agreed positive support and de-escalation strategies.
• Support the young person to develop confidence and, where appropriate, independence.
• Once a positive relationship has been established, support him to access suitable activities and spend time within the local community.
• Encourage participation in enjoyable activities at his own pace.
• Follow agreed guidance and care plans provided by the family and relevant healthcare professionals.
• Develop an understanding of the young person’s epilepsy, including seizure management, following appropriate information and training.
• Develop an understanding of ARFID and follow the guidance provided around his individual needs.
• Be mindful of the additional considerations associated with PICA and other complex needs.
• Provide reassurance and positive encouragement.
• Work in a person-centred way, respecting his individual needs, preferences, communication, and choices.
• Maintain appropriate communication with the family and wider support team.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

• Kind, caring, patient, and approachable.
• Calm and confident when supporting a young person with complex needs.
• Reliable, trustworthy, and consistent.
• Observant and able to recognise changes in behaviour, communication, or presentation.
• Positive and encouraging.
• Able to build a good rapport and develop a trusting relationship over time.
• Able to use initiative and adapt their approach to meet individual needs.
• Patient and understanding of non-verbal communication.
• Respectful of privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and family life.
• Able to remain calm and professional when faced with challenging situations.
• Willing to learn and follow specific guidance relating to the young person’s health and support needs.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Considerable experience supporting autistic children or young people with complex needs.
• A good understanding of autism and non-verbal communication.
• Experience supporting children or young people who may display behaviours that challenge.
• A good understanding of positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
• Ability to work calmly and safely in potentially challenging situations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt communication to the individual.
• Willingness to undertake and follow specific training and guidance relating to epilepsy, ARFID, PICA, and the young person’s other support needs.

Desirable

• Experience supporting a young person with epilepsy.
• Experience or knowledge of ARFID.
• Experience supporting individuals with PICA.
• Experience supporting children with ADHD, developmental delay, or learning disabilities.
• Relevant training in autism, positive behaviour support, de-escalation, epilepsy, or related areas.

Due to the complexity of the young person’s needs, considerable relevant experience is required for this position. The successful candidate must demonstrate that they have the skills, understanding, and confidence necessary to provide safe, consistent, and person-centred support.

Terms

• Location: Kelso
• Hours: 2 hours per week.
• Working Pattern: Weekends, with times to be agreed with the employer.
• Rate of Pay: £14.05 per hour.
• Holiday Entitlement: 5.6 weeks annual leave pro rata.
• Probationary Period: 6 months.
• Training: Appropriate training and information relating to the young person’s specific needs, including epilepsy seizure management and ARFID, will be provided/shared with the successful applicant.
• Appointment: Subject to satisfactory references and PVG / Disclosure Scotland check.
• All statutory employment rights apply.

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced support worker who has a genuine understanding of complex autism and who would enjoy building a meaningful relationship with a young person. The initial focus will be on trust, communication, and understanding, with the opportunity to support the young person to access activities and enjoy positive experiences within his community as the relationship develops.