Support Worker / Buddy / Respite Carer (P/T ) Ref: 020/ Cumnock /JL 02/06/2025 Cumnock

Ayrshire Independent Living Network; Cumnock; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Support Worker / Buddy / Respite Carer for a young boy with special needs in Cumnock. The successful candidate will provide critical support, ensuring safety and engagement in activities such as swimming. The role requires a compassionate individual with understanding of Nonverbal Autism and experience in special educational needs, a valid driver’s license, and willingness to assist with family outings.

Qualifications

• Experience in SEN (Special Educational Needs) is essential.
• Must be a driver with a full clean driver’s license.
• Ability to engage actively with the child is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Provide support during school collection and additional activities.
• Assist with personal care and ensure safety during outings.
• Engage the child in swimming and trampolining.

Skills

Understanding of Nonverbal Autism

Patience

Ability to manage challenging behaviour

Job description

Support Worker / Buddy / Respite Carer (Part-Time) Ref: 020/ Cumnock /JL 02/06/2025

Personal employer: Cumnock

Ref: 020/ Cumnock /JL

Position Details

Support Worker / Buddy / Respite Carer (Part-Time) - Location: Cumnock

Hours: 10 hours per week (initially)
Monday – Friday 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm, with occasional additional hours to be confirmed
Rate of Pay: £12.60 per hour

Role Description

We are seeking a Support Worker / Buddy / Respite Carer to support a 10-year-old boy with Nonverbal Autism, OCD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Delay.

The primary support involves school collection each weekday from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm. Additional hours during school holidays may be required, and hours are subject to review and potential increase.

The role includes providing support and encouragement for activities, as well as assistance with personal care. The child's interests include swimming and trampolining. Support with these activities, including getting him changed and ensuring safety in the community, will be required.

The ideal candidate should be young at heart, physically fit, and capable of engaging in activities with the child while ensuring his safety at all times. Since he has no safety awareness or understanding of danger and may run off, constant alertness is essential.

An understanding of Nonverbal Autism is crucial. He communicates using PECS symbols on his iPad.

Experience in SEN (Special Educational Needs) is essential. Patience and the ability to manage anxieties and occasional challenging behaviour are required, with timing prompts to prepare him for activities.

Additional Responsibilities

The successful candidate will assist with family outings, considering the feelings of his younger sister. Initially, family members will be present to facilitate relationship building.

The family has a friendly dog, which is part of the household.

Requirements

• Must be a driver with own car, a valid full clean driver’s license, and business insurance. Mileage allowance will be paid for work-related travel.
• Experience in SEN, particularly with Nonverbal Autism, is preferred but not essential.
• This position is subject to a 6-month probationary period.
• Applicants must provide two references (one from current or most recent employer) and undergo a PVG Disclosure at the employer’s expense.

Application Process

To apply, email your CV to [e-mail] quoting Ref: 020/Cumnock/JL. Alternatively, download an application form from our website www.ailn.org or contact Jennifer Lee at 01294 475686 to request an application form, which should be completed and returned to:

Jennifer Lee,
Self Directed Support Advisor
Ayrshire Independent Living Network
The Michael Lynch Centre for Enterprise
71 Princes Street,
Ardrossan, KA22 8DG

**Please note: AILN is not the employer. We provide support and mailbox services for individual personal employers and have no input into employment decisions.**

Contact

Here to help:

• Self Directed Support: 01294 475685/6
• Payroll & Budget Management: 01294 475681