Suffolk Independent Living Address: Stowmarket area, Suffolk Salary: £12.21 per hour Hours: 2 x 4-hour sessions per month term time and up to 15 hours available per week in school holidays Contract: Permanent Reference: 0671 Suffolk Independent Living have a listing for a Personal Support Carer for a non-speaking child with additional needs. Although this job description is correct at present, it may change from time to time after negotiation with the post holder. Must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role, sponsorship not available. Job purpose We are seeking a kind, patient and intuitive carer to support J, a young child with complex developmental needs. This role is about relationship first: building trust, understanding J’s communication, and supporting him to feel safe, regulated and engaged. Initially, support will take place within the family home, focusing on play, sensory activities, and shared routines. As trust and confidence grow (for both J and the carer), this may gradually extend to short outings and community-based activities. This is not a “hands-off” role, J is physically active and needs close supervision, but it is also not about control or compliance. We are looking for someone who understands that behaviour is communication, and who can respond with calm, curiosity and care. We have a very bouncy labradoodle in the household called Conker. Main duties and responsibilities: Provide 1:1 support tailored to J’s individual needs Personal care, including nappy changing Preparing meals Using Pecs to communicate, if the successful candidate can sign, this would be desirable for this role Build a trusting, consistent relationship with J over time Occasionally accompanying the family on outings Support emotional regulation through play, sensory activities and movement Follow visual supports, routines and communication strategies used at home and school Encourage engagement, independence and confidence at J’s pace Ensure J’s safety at all times, particularly during physical play or transitions Communicate clearly and honestly with parents about sessions, progress and any concerns. Keeping a written record for parents to view at the end of the day Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality. Personal Specification (refer to these when submitting your application) Essential Criteria Kind, warm and genuinely empathetic Good oral communication skills Patient and emotionally attuned – able to stay calm during dysregulation Intuitive and observant, able to read non-verbal communication Physically fit and energetic, comfortable with active play and movement Reliable and consistent – J thrives on predictability Respectful of family values and routines. Experience with autism, neurodivergence or additional needs is welcome but not essential. The right person matters more than formal qualifications. Desirable Criteria Experience supporting children with SEND age 4-10. Understanding of sensory processing differences Familiarity with visual supports, routines or alternative communication methods Background in care, education, playwork, youth work or similar Training and support Full induction provided by parents Ongoing guidance and collaboration Opportunity to develop specialist experience in neurodivergent support. Summary terms and conditions Hours, days and times of work: 2x 4-hour sessions per month term time to be worked at the weekends (flexible days and times) and up to 15 hours available per week in school holidays (typically 3 weekdays 5 hours per day- flexible days but Wednesdays are required). Pay rate: £12.21 per hour. Annual leave: The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work normally done during 5.6 weeks (statutory entitlement). Expenses: You will be reimbursed for prior agreed expenses incurred as part of the role. Sick pay: I do not operate a private sick pay scheme but provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Pension: I do not operate a private pension scheme but I will fulfil my statutory obligations via the NEST pension scheme. The post is subject to the following Background check: A satisfactory Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this position. If you have been convicted of a criminal offence, please send these details to SIL in a separate email or in a sealed envelope together with a stamped addressed envelope. This will not be shared unless you are shortlisted for the post. References: If successful, you will be required to provide details of two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer, or character references if you have not been employed Trial period: This post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months. How to apply If you wish to apply for this position, please complete an application form and return it to SIL, quoting the job reference number 5250. When applying for this role, please send a short paragraph about why the role appeals to you and your availability. Please refer to the job description. Online form: https://www.suffolkindependentliving.org.uk/application-form-1 Email: suffolk@silmail.org Telephone: 01473 603876 Postal address: SIL, Unit 21, IP City Centre, 1 Bath Street, Ipswich IP2 8SD Closing date: 10 April 2026.