Personal Assistant – Supporting Independence & Community Access DP8253

Independent Lives; Burgess Hill; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent Lives is seeking a calm, patient Personal Assistant to support a 16-year-old boy in Burgess Hill. The role focuses on enabling independence and community access, with duties including transportation, companionship, and accompanying on trips and outings.

The position is part-time (4-6 hours per week) with an hourly rate of £12.71. A driver’s license and own vehicle are required, and flexibility for term-time variations is expected.

Qualifications

• Driver's licence required
• Own vehicle needed
• 4-6 hours per week depending on holiday or term time
• You will support a 16-year-old boy to access the community and enjoy independence
• Calm, patient and gentle approach recommended

Responsibilities

• Transportation
• Companionship
• Accompany and support my son on trips and outings when required
• Support him with social and leisure activities, including London, museums, airports, Brighton
• Accompany him on walks, photography trips, shopping and other activities he enjoys
• Provide safety reminders and help ensure he returns home at the agreed time
• Ensure access to food and drinks and help manage hunger or thirst as needed

Job description

Personal Assistant – Supporting Independence & Community Access DP8253

Personal Assistant – Supporting Independence & Community Access

Ref: DP8253

Location: Burgess Hill

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Details

This role is to support a Child

Drivers licence required: Yes

Own vehicle needed: Yes

4-6 hours per week depending on holiday or term time.

Hourly pay rate:

£12.71 per hour

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We are looking for a calm, patient and gentle Personal Assistant to support my 16-year-old son while he accesses the community and enjoys his independence.

He is quiet, kind and enjoys going out, particularly travelling into London by train and Tube. He likes exploring London, visiting museums such as the British Museum and British Library, admiring architecture and walking around places he knows well. He also enjoys visiting Luton, Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports, as well as Brighton.

He has a very good sense of direction, especially in London, can read signs and understands and follows traffic rules. He enjoys being out on his own and having the freedom to explore, so the PA should be comfortable allowing him space and independence while providing appropriate support and reassurance.

The main support he needs is with knowing when it is time to return home. When he is enjoying himself, he can be reluctant to leave and may need gentle reminders and encouragement to go home at the agreed time.

Someone who is respectful of his independence, patient and able to provide gentle prompts without being overbearing would be a great fit for our family.

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Duties include:

- Other relevant duties as required

- Transportation

- Companionship

- Accompany and support my son on trips and outings when required.

- Support him with social and leisure activities, including London, museums, airports, - Brighton, churches and other places of interest.

- Accompany him on walks, photography trips, shopping and other activities he enjoys.

- Support him with occasional longer journeys using public transport or the PA’s car.

- Allow him independence while providing support and ensuring his safety when out.

- Give gentle reminders and encouragement when it is time to return home.

- Ensure he has access to food and drinks, as hunger or thirst can contribute to agitation or anxiety.

Candidate qualities:

- Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality

- Reliable with good timekeeping

- Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative

- Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties

- Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills

- Honest and cheerful

- Able to go on/enjoy long walks

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. If the role is offered on a self-employed basis, you will be responsible for the cost of your own DBS check.

If you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Independent Lives

Salary: from £12.71 an hour

Hours: Part-time

Location: Burgess Hill

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 20 Oct 2026

Closing date: 19 Nov 2026