personal assistants

Independent lives; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 165,000 - 220,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage allowance

Job summary

Independent Lives in Eastbourne is seeking a part-time personal assistant to support a young woman with autism and complex needs. The role involves around 10 hours per week, with a preference for 6 hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays to fit her activities and 4 hours on Mondays or Wednesdays for exercise and daily living tasks.

You will drive and accompany her to activities, help maintain safety, and contribute to planning, records, and life-skills development.

Qualifications

• Full driving licence is required to assist with transport.
• Knowledge of positive behaviour support (PBS) or willingness to learn.
• Strong observational skills and ability to notice subtle changes.

Responsibilities

• Support the client to remain safe, well and emotionally stable.
• Contribute to the delivery and development of activity programmes and independence skills.
• Assist at home and in the community; support daily living tasks, gym and swimming.
• Assist with meals, transport and attending meetings/appointments; provide discreet support.

Skills

Driving licence

PBS knowledge

Observation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Job description

Approximately 10 hours a week, ideally 6 hours on a Tuesday or Thursday to support her farm activities, and 4 hours on a Monday or Wednesday supporting exercise, e.g. gym, walking, swimming. In the longer term some weekend, evening and overnight work may be required., The role will include supporting this young woman to access her work with animals and a range of bespoke and creative activities, therefore you will need a full driving licence and access to a car.

She has a good sense of humour and she likes to be independent, making decisions about herself and her days. She finds great satisfaction and worth from having a varied and stimulating assortment of activities, a sense of purpose and achievement.

You will need to enjoy the freedom of supporting her on different programmes of activity and be committed to developing her independence and skills. You will be alert and able to assess dangers and 'triggers' personal to her and her environment and be able to anticipate these and keep her safe. You will also be interested in learning how to support her in all areas of her life whilst enabling her to maintain appropriate excitement and emotional expression.

She needs security and intelligent support to remain safe, well and emotionally stable. You should be able to share her interests and to challenge her gently with new experiences through a genuine interest in her and her life. You will need to be helpful to her and observant to subtle changes in her demeanour that may signal confusion, distress, anxiety or fear. You will be respectful of her and her family and friends and exercise discretion with the knowledge accumulated through supporting her.

The initial interview will be online, followed by a second interview in person and an opportunity to spend time with the family

Duties include:

• Supporting her to remain safe, well and emotionally stable.
• Maintaining and contributing to the delivery and development of her programme of provision, her timetable of activities and her independence and life skills
• Assisting her at home and in the community; and during activities that she is engaged in
• Assistance with daily living tasks and activities, including gym and swimming.
• Assistance to prepare and cook food and meals
• Assisting her on different forms of public transport
• Assistance getting to meetings/appointments, social events, activities and providing discreet support whilst there
• Driving (mileage paid from place of work)
• Contributing to planning meetings about her life and provision
• Maintaining records of her activities and life goals
• On occasions, employees may be required to perform other reasonable tasks appropriate to this type of employment

An exciting opportunity for skilled and experienced personal assistants with a person-centred approach and initiative to enable a young woman 29 who has autism and complex needs to access a varied and rich programme of activities throughout the week., Ideally you will have knowledge of positive behaviour support (PBS) or a willingness to learn and be open to developing in collaboration, a strategic approach to managing behaviour that can challenge.

• Good observational skills are vital for this post as well as strong written and spoken communication skills. This post requires commitment and a willingness to become a friend and ally to her in her life. It is work, that when done well and in good spirit, will be very rewarding.
• You must be able to work as part of a team yet possess the confidence to be able to work alone; to ensure her wellbeing and to enable her to live as freely as possible.
• Honest and trustworthy
• Reliable and responsible
• Patience
• Observant and responsive
• Physically fit and capable
• Energ…