Description
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The job itself
About the recipient
A 17-year-old young person who's preferred pronouns are THEM/THEY.
What do people like about me? What amazing things can I do?
I am kind, caring and generous and love to make things for people as gifts. I have taught myself various types of crafting. Penguins are my special interest, and I know everything about them.
What do I like?
I love anything to do with animals and enjoy different forms of crafting. I volunteer with dogs at the RSPCA, take horse riding lessons and care for horses and other farm animals as part of my education package. I spend a lot of time making things, particularly through crochet, but also enjoy learning new crafting skills including Macrame, felting and jewellery making. I have an 'alternative’' fashion sense and regularly change the colour of my hair. I like to go to the cinema but prefer to sit near the back and use my ear defenders to reduce the volume of the film. I enjoy markets, car boot sales, walking my dog Louis at the beach, visiting zoos/farms and theme parks.
What do I dislike?
I dislike busy places with lots of people and loud noises. I am becoming more comfortable visiting cafes etc but prefer not to eat/drink in a busy environment such as pubs/restaurants.
What do I need help with?
I have Autism and social anxiety and find social interactions quite uncomfortable at times. I am not comfortable going out and about without adult support and guidance as I find it difficult to communicate with strangers, for example shop staff, bus drivers etc. Hence, I do not use public transport and need a PA who is a car driver to enable us to access activities together. When I am comfortable with someone, I will begin to express my feelings, and we can explore them together. I can struggle with my mental health and have previously used unsafe methods to manage this. I find unexpected/uncommunicated changes of routine difficult but can manage this through explanation/preparation. I can struggle with understanding other people's emotions and humour and sometimes need things explaining to me logically.
As I can be quite quiet, I would like a PA with a bubbly but kind personality to fill the awkward silences with chatter. I would also like a PA who loves animals as it would be nice to take out my dog Louis together and visit places where I can get hands on experience with animals.
About the role
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
1. Encouraging the recipient to engage in activities.
2. Helping to improve their social skills.
3. Settling and supporting the individual.
4. Keeping them safe in the community.
5. Helping to fulfil their potential and aspirations.
6. Attending/transporting the individual to social activities and appointments.
7. Encouraging social interaction and inclusion and providing emotional support.
About the candidate
The suitable candidate must:
8. Be conscientious and committed to providing support as necessary for the child.
9. Be patient, caring and understanding.
10. Be able to build a positive relationship with the child to both encourage and support them.
11. Be flexible to meet the needs of the family.
12. Have knowledge of working with or supporting a child with special needs.
13. Have a driving licence.
DBS/Reference checks will be required for this post - Cost to be met by the local authority.