Location: Fawdon, Newcastle upon Tyne
Hours: 6 hours per week term time, 18 hours per week school holidays
Rate of pay: £15.00 per hour
About the Role
We are looking for a compassionate and proactive Personal Assistant (PA) to support Connor, a lively and energetic 12-year-old boy, to access and enjoy his local community safely.
Connor is autistic and non-verbal, with a joyful and adventurous personality. He loves beach walks, shopping for toys and teddies, water play, using his iPad, and playing with a football or ball, throwing or bouncing it 1:1. He is small for his age, very active, and quick – making safety and vigilance top priorities.
Connor has SPD, has no sense of danger, and wears a wrist strap and incontinence pads when out. He is also sensitive to noise and can become dysregulated, which may result in aggressive behaviour. He communicates his discomfort with warning signs and needs space and support to self-regulate.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys making a difference in a young person's life and has the energy, patience, and awareness to provide meaningful support in a calm, respectful, and engaging way.
Key Responsibilities
* Support Connor to access the community in a safe and enjoyable way.
* Ensure constant awareness of potential hazards and risks when out and about.
* Assist with personal care, including pad changing.
* Interact with Connor in a friendly, playful, and respectful manner.
* Remain calm and responsive during episodes of distress or dysregulation.
* Help manage and reduce triggers (especially noise-related).
* Create a safe, structured, and positive environment for Connor to thrive.
Person Specification
Essential:
* Calm, patient, and friendly disposition.
* Physically fit and able to keep up with Connor's pace and energy.
* Quick-thinking and able to respond appropriately to challenging situations.
* Attuned to signs of dysregulation and capable of de-escalating situations.
* Comfortable providing personal care.
* Respectful of non-verbal communication and personal boundaries.
Desirable:
* Experience or awareness of autism, ARFID, and SPD in children.
* Previous experience working with neurodivergent children or young people.
* Driver with access to a vehicle.
Additional Information
Training can be provided for the right person with the right attitude and approach. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in Connor's daily experiences, building trust and helping him enjoy the world safely.
This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.
At the time of starting their employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Expected hours: 6 – 18 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
Work Location: In person