Overview
Hours: 6 hours per week during school holidays.
Rate of pay: Age related national minimum wage up to £12.90 per hour.
Area: South Shields
Holidays: 5.6 weeks per annum (pro rata)
Location notes: Please note these vacancies are not employed through South Tyneside Council but through the individual service user.
About the role
We are seeking a personal assistant for a nearly 14-year-old boy who is cheerful, kind and caring, with a wonderful sense of humour. He lives at home with his mom, dad and younger brother. He enjoys cooking, swimming and acting, and participates in a baking class on Tuesday nights. He loves pantomimes and music lessons, and uses an AAC device for communication. He has cerebral palsy with an underlying chromosome disorder, which can cause muscle weakness, increased muscle tone and a risk of joint fractures; he also has a learning disability. He communicates verbally and is developing his vocabulary while using his AAC device. He is an exceptional actor.
Responsibilities
* Assist with mobility and movement around the home (e.g., pulling along the floor, transferring to chairs/sofa/bed, and navigating stairs with appropriate support).
* Support daily routines and independence, including accompanying on outings and helping with toilet use if needed.
* Assist with medication administration as directed (he can take some medications himself; caregiver may fill oral syringes as required).
* Transport: assist with getting in and out of a car; driver with a large boot is preferred for wheelchair transport.
* Support communication: interact, maintain eye contact, and support the use of his AAC device.
* supervise and assist during activities with his mother to manage routines, such as outings with a toddler and the boy together.
* Monitor for safety and wellbeing; respond to needs and provide reassurance.
* Respect preferences (e.g., low noise environments, avoids tomatoes) and allow him space to engage independently when appropriate.
Qualifications and requirements
* Enhanced DBS check required.
* Right to work in the U.K.
* Experience or ability to work with a child who has cerebral palsy, a chromosome disorder, and a learning disability.
* Patience, reliability and a supportive, respectful approach to helping him maintain independence.
* Ability to assist with mobility and transfers and to work with caregivers to ensure safety during activities and transport.
Other notes
Notes: He can take his own medication, and his mother will prepare oral syringes as needed. In the unlikely event of an accident, he may wipe himself and may need assistance to ensure it is done correctly. He prefers to be left alone at times and will transfer to and from his chair independently, though help may be required with an accessible toilet bar.
Closing
This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.
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