Personal Assistant – ZHSNCL

Disability North; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 249,000 - 276,000; Part time

Job summary

Disability North in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Personal Assistant to support a 9-year-old boy during school holidays. The role requires 1:1 supervision, patience, and the ability to keep him safe, calm, and engaged with activities he enjoys, such as visits to farms or theatres, in a way that suits his needs.

You will need to be physically capable of assisting mobility and responding quickly in challenging situations.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children with autism or additional needs.
• Ability to understand non-verbal cues and respond calmly.
• Physically able to assist mobility and support safe play and activities.
• Driver with own vehicle is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 supervision for 9-year-old boy in daily activities.
• Plan outings and activities suited to his needs and energy levels.
• Maintain a predictable, low-stress environment and respond quickly in challenging situations.

Skills

Autism experience

Non-verbal communication support

Calm, patient and reliable

Job description

Job Title: Personal Assistant

Hours: 12.5 hours per week during the school holidays

Rate of pay: £14.50 per hour

Location: Arthurs Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne

Driver with own vehicle essential

I am looking for 2, kind, patient, and reliable people to support my 9-year-old son, who attends Thomas Bewick School. He has autism, is non-verbal, and has dyspraxia. This role is all about helping him feel safe, understood, and able to enjoy the things he loves in a way that suits his needs.

My son needs close 2-1 supervision at all times to keep him safe. He can sometimes throw himself to the floor or try to slide out of his wheelchair, so I need someone who is attentive, calm, and able to respond quickly and safely in these situations. It's really important that the person supporting him can stay relaxed and reassuring, even when things feel challenging.

As he is non-verbal, he communicates in his own way, so I'm looking for someone who is willing to take the time to understand him through his behaviour, gestures, and cues. He thrives with consistency and a calm environment, as he doesn't cope well with change or loud, busy places. Having someone who can keep things predictable and low-stress makes a big difference to him.

He really enjoys getting out and about and experiencing different activities. Some of his favourite things are trampolining, visiting farms, and going to the theatre. He tends to enjoy these activities much more when they are quieter, usually later in the day, so planning outings around this is important. I would love someone who can help him access these experiences in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for him.

I'm looking for someone with experience of working with children with autism or additional needs, who understands how to support a child who doesn't use words to communicate. You'll need to be physically able to support him with his mobility and confident in keeping him safe. Most importantly, I'm looking for someone who is caring, dependable, and genuinely wants to build a positive relationship with him.

This role means a lot to our family, and I'm hoping to find someone who will take the time to get to know him and support him in a way that helps him feel comfortable, happy, and secure.

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.