Personal Assistant (Social Care) Faversham

Direct Payments; United States; Remote; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Direct Payments is seeking a Personal Assistant to support a young adult with autism in the Faversham area. Part-time role with up to 16 hours in term time and up to 30 hours non-term time, with daytime, evening and some weekend work. Location-based in Dunkirk, near Faversham. No personal care required.

The role focuses on practical support, companionship and helping participation in educational, therapeutic and community activities to build confidence and independence.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting autistic people or mental health difficulties (paid, voluntary, or personal).
• Experience building positive and trusting relationships.
• Willingness to learn about the young adult’s needs, communication preferences and support strategies.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training.
• Experience or training relating to autism, anxiety, OCD or mental health.
• Experience supporting young adults to develop independent-living skills.
• Experience of person-centred, therapeutic or trauma-informed approaches.
• First-aid qualification.
• Basic food-hygiene training.
• Formal care qualifications helpful but not essential where applicant has suitable experience.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the young adult to prepare for and participate in activities in and outside the home.
• Supporting him to attend educational, therapeutic and social activities.
• Driving him to and from appointments, activities and places of interest.
• Supporting him to access the local community, including shops, cafés, clubs, leisure activities and public places.
• Helping him to develop independent-living skills, including cooking, shopping, using public transport, budgeting and managing daily routines.
• Supporting with planning and preparing healthy meals.
• Assisting with appropriate household tasks, including shopping, laundry, cleaning and general organisation.
• Helping him to plan and structure his time.
• Supporting him to take gradual steps towards greater confidence and independence.
• Providing calm and appropriate support during periods of heightened anxiety, following agreed plans and guidance.
• Building a consistent, trusting and respectful working relationship.
• This is not an exhaustive list; may be asked to undertake other similar tasks.

Skills

Communication

Calm under pressure

Patient approach

Encourage independence

Independence & initiative

Household tasks

Family & professionals communication

Job description

Personal Assistant (Social Care) Faversham

Personal Assistant / Support Worker – Part-time position

Hours

Up to 16 hours per week during term time and up to 30 hours per week during non-term time.

The available hours are likely to be divided between two or three Personal Assistants, so applicants interested in a smaller number of regular hours are welcome.

The working pattern will be agreed with the successful applicants and may include some daytime, evening and occasional weekend work.

Rate of pay

Hourly rate to be confirmed, subject to the local authority-funded rate, plus agreed expenses.

Paid holiday entitlement, pension contributions where eligible, and training and development opportunities are provided.

Location

Based in Dunkirk, near Faversham, with activities taking place locally and in the surrounding area.

Outline of the role

We are looking for a calm, reliable and supportive Personal Assistant to work with a young adult with autism who also experiences significant anxiety and mental health difficulties.

The role is to provide practical support, companionship and encouragement, helping him to participate in educational, therapeutic, social and community activities and to develop greater confidence and independence.

No personal care is required.

Main responsibilities

• Supporting the young adult to prepare for and participate in activities in and outside the home.
• Supporting him to attend educational, therapeutic and social activities.
• Driving him to and from appointments, activities and places of interest.
• Supporting him to access the local community, including shops, cafés, clubs, leisure activities and public places.
• Helping him to develop independent-living skills, including cooking, shopping, using public transport, budgeting and managing daily routines.
• Supporting with planning and preparing healthy meals.
• Assisting with appropriate household tasks, including shopping, laundry, cleaning and general organisation.
• Helping him to plan and structure his time.
• Supporting him to take gradual steps towards greater confidence and independence.
• Providing calm and appropriate support during periods of heightened anxiety, following agreed plans and guidance.
• Building a consistent, trusting and respectful working relationship.

This is not an exhaustive list. The successful applicant may be asked to undertake other similar and reasonable tasks relating to the role.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant experience of supporting autistic people, people with additional needs or people experiencing mental health difficulties. This may have been gained through paid employment, voluntary work or personal experience.
• Experience of building positive and trusting relationships.
• Willingness to learn about the young adult’s individual needs, communication preferences and support strategies.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training.
• Experience or training relating to autism, anxiety, OCD or mental health.
• Experience of supporting young adults to develop independent-living skills.
• Experience of person-centred, therapeutic or trauma-informed approaches.
• Basic food-hygiene training.

Formal care qualifications are helpful but are not essential where the applicant has suitable experience, personal qualities and a willingness to undertake training.

Essential Relevant experience of supporting autistic people, people with additional needs or people experiencing mental health difficulties. This may have been gained through paid employment, voluntary work or personal experience. Experience of building positive and trusting relationships. Willingness to learn about the young adult’s individual needs, communication preferences and support strategies. Willingness to undertake relevant training. Desirable Experience or training relating to autism, anxiety, OCD or mental health. Experience of supporting young adults to develop independent-living skills. Experience of person-centred, therapeutic or trauma-informed approaches. First-aid qualification. Basic food-hygiene training. Formal care qualifications are helpful but are not essential where the applicant has suitable experience, personal qualities and a willingness to undertake training.

Skills, abilities and knowledge

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and provide appropriate support during periods of heightened anxiety, following agreed plans and guidance.
• Ability to work patiently and at the individual’s pace.
• Ability to encourage independence without being overly directive or confrontational.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative while respecting agreed boundaries.
• Ability to support with practical household tasks and prepare healthy meals.
• Ability to communicate appropriately with family members and other professionals involved in th

To be discussed at the Interview / Next stage – Competitive rate (dependent on experience)