Personal Care Assistant

Empowering Learning; Oldham; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education recruitment agency is seeking a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In this role, you will provide vital personal care, ensuring the safety and dignity of students while supporting them in accessing their education. Ideal candidates are compassionate, reliable, and have experience in a similar role. The position offers long-term and permanent placement opportunities, along with continuous professional development and training in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Ongoing CPD and training opportunities

Supportive consultants

Long-term and permanent placement potential

Opportunities to develop within SEND settings

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar care, SEN, or support role is essential.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Comfortable providing personal care and following care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality personal care including assistance with toileting and hygiene.
• Support students in the classroom and help them access learning.
• Collaborate with teachers and other staff to follow care plans.

Skills

Compassion

Patience

Communication Skills

Job description

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) - SEND Provision

Agency: Empowering Learning

Location: Oldham

Contract Type: Full-time / Long-term / Permanent placements available

Start Date: Immediate / Ongoing

About Empowering Learning

Empowering Learning is a specialist education recruitment agency dedicated to supporting schools and settings that cater for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We work with Outstanding SEND provisions across Oldham and Greater Manchester, providing high-quality staff who are passionate about inclusion, care, dignity, and student wellbeing.

About the Setting

The school provides Outstanding provision for students aged 11-19, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Students present with a broad spectrum of needs, including:

• Moderate to profound and multiple learning difficulties (MLD, SLD, PMLD)
• Severe and complex learning needs
• Physical disabilities
• Multisensory, visual, and hearing impairments
• Autism spectrum condition and associated communication needs

The Role: Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

As a Personal Care Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting students to access their education safely, comfortably, and with dignity. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing high-quality personal care, including assistance with toileting, hygiene routines, dressing, and mobility
• Ensuring students' dignity, safety, and wellbeing at all times
• Supporting students in the classroom and around the school, helping them access learning and daily routines
• Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, support staff, and other PCAs
• Following student care plans and EHCP guidelines
• Maintaining a calm, patient, and positive approach to meet a wide range of emotional, physical, and sensory needs
• Being flexible to support across different sites within the Trust if required

What We're Looking For

• Compassionate, patient, and committed to supporting young people with SEND
• Reliable team players with excellent communication skills
• Able to maintain confidentiality, dignity, and professionalism
• Comfortable providing personal care and following care plans
• Flexible and adaptable across changing needs and environments
• Experienced in a similar care, SEN, or support role (essential)

What Empowering Learning Offers

• Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
• Supportive consultants who understand SEND environments
• Long-term and permanent placement potential
• Opportunities to develop within specialist SEND settings