Overview
Hours per week: Approximately 10 hours a week, ideally 6 hours on a Tuesday or Thursday to support farm activities, and 4 hours on a Monday or Wednesday supporting exercise. In the longer term some weekend, evening and overnight work may be required. Flexibility around working hours may be possible for the right candidate.
Hourly pay rate: £15 per hour dependent upon experience, completion of the probationary period and the achieved standard required.
An exciting opportunity for skilled and experienced personal assistants with a person-centred approach and initiative to enable a young woman (29) who has autism and complex needs to access a varied and rich programme of activities throughout the week. The role will include supporting this young woman to access her work with animals and a range of bespoke and creative activities. Therefore you will need a full driving licence and access to a car.
She has a good sense of humour and she likes to be independent, making decisions about herself and her days. She finds great satisfaction and worth from having a varied and stimulating assortment of activities, a sense of purpose and achievement. Interested in many things, she is very creative and has a talent for art; particularly enjoying to draw, and to make models, and has exhibited nationally and internationally. She also likes to create music and videos; enjoys going out - shopping, restaurants, cinema, swimming, horse-riding, funfairs, zoos, aquariums, museums, or simply having fish and chips on the beach. She can be a lovely companion. You will need to enjoy the freedom of supporting her on different programmes of activity and be committed to developing her independence and skills.
You will be alert and able to assess dangers and ‘triggers’ personal to her and her environment and be able to anticipate these and keep her safe. You will also be interested in learning how to support her in all areas of her life whilst enabling her to maintain appropriate excitement and emotional expression. She needs security and intelligent support to remain safe, well and emotionally stable. You should be able to share her interests and to challenge her gently with new experiences through a genuine interest in her and her life. You will need to be helpful to her and observant to subtle changes in her demeanour that may signal confusion, distress, anxiety or fear.
Closing date: 07/03/2025. The initial interview will be online, followed by a second interview in person and an opportunity to spend time with the family.
Duties
* Supporting her to remain safe, well and emotionally stable.
* Maintaining and contributing to the delivery and development of her programme of provision, her timetable of activities and her independence and life skills.
* Assisting her at home and in the community; and during activities that she is engaged in.
* Assistance with daily living tasks and activities, including gym and swimming.
* Assistance to prepare and cook food and meals.
* Assisting her on different forms of public transport.
* Assistance getting to meetings/appointments, social events, activities and providing discreet support whilst there.
* Driving (mileage paid from place of work).
* Contributing to planning meetings about her life and provision.
* Maintaining records of her activities and life goals.
* On occasions, employees may be required to perform other reasonable tasks appropriate to this type of employment.
Candidate qualities
* Ideally you will have knowledge of positive behaviour support (PBS) or a willingness to learn and be open to developing in collaboration, a strategic approach to managing behaviour that can challenge.
* Good observational skills and strong written and spoken communication skills.
* Commitment and willingness to become a friend and ally to her; work that, when done well and in good spirit, will be very rewarding.
* Ability to work as part of a team and also alone to ensure wellbeing and independence.
* Good written and spoken communication skills.
* Able to work responsibly with colleagues, managers of the provision and other professionals.
* Able to work flexibly with her in the family home and out in the community.
* Commitment to personal development and willingness to undertake further training.
* Respect for privacy and confidentiality; maintain discretion at all times.
* Flexible approach to working hours and structures.
* Good computer and IT skills; cooking and domestic skills.
* Full driving licence, competent and confident driver, and access to a car.
* Competent at swimming; no allergies to animals; able to work around animals, especially pigs and chickens.
Desirable requirements
* Previous personal assistant experience (particularly with individuals who have autism, complex needs and behaviours that challenge).
* Experience in Positive Behaviour Support, Person Centred Active Support and Total Communication; DBS certificate; PRICE training experience; First Aid Certificate.
* GCSE, further and higher qualifications.
* Similar leisure interests; car insurance cover.
* Able to work increased hours at times throughout the year to cover emergencies, staff holidays and/or sickness.
* Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours.
Notes
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. Please note, if you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme. Disability Confident. About Disability Confident. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to [website].
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