Personal Care Assistant

People Plus Independent Living Services; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading support service is looking for a compassionate individual to provide respite care for a child with Down Syndrome. You will engage in play activities at home and potentially explore social experiences in the community, ensuring safety and comfort while fostering communication and social skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in or willingness to learn communication strategies.
• Good sense of humour and reliable.
• Physically fit, agile, and energetic.

Responsibilities

• Play with the child using activities and toys provided.
• Support safety and dignity in eating and personal care.
• Help develop social skills through excursions and activities.

Skills

Makaton

AAC communication strategies

Behaviour management

Play strategies

Job description

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• To provide respite to a family with a wonderful five year old with Down Syndrome by playing with them in the family home and later possibly giving him social experiences in the community.

Work Duties will include:

· Play in the family home with activities and toys provided using communication strategies. Initially this would be with parents present in the home and may extend to parents being out, if you are fully trained and comfortable with this

· Supporting safety and dignity when overseeing eating and drinking or supporting personal care and toileting

· May include excursions outside the home once trust and rapport is built and if it is something you would feel confident doing

· Helping them to develop social skills and try new things

Other requirements

· Establishing and maintaining effective communication with the child and their parents, maintaining confidentiality.

· Always ensuring the safety of the child

· Record keeping of toileting and other records as needed

Requirements for applicant (include any specialised training if required)

· Experience in or willingness to learn Makaton and AAC communication strategies which will be provided

· Experience in or willingness to learn about Down Syndrome specific strategies regarding toileting, behaviour management and play strategies which will be provided

· Undertake training provided and follow guidance around all aspects of eating and drinking

· Good sense of humour

· Flexible, reliable and honest

· Physically fit, agile and energetic

· Willingness to undertake a trial period to see if the role is enjoyable for you and if you are a natural fit for our child

· DBS Check will be completed