Term Time & School Holidays
Are you a patient, caring and energetic person who would enjoy supporting a fun-loving young boy to get out and about, enjoy his favourite activities and build his confidence?
We are looking for a female Personal Assistant to provide one-to-one support to a happy, energetic and determined young boy who loves being active. He particularly enjoys running, climbing and jumping, as well as books, collecting magazines, watching TV and spending time on his iPad. Current favourites include In the Night Garden, Octonauts and anything connected to the Welsh language.
You will support him both at home and out in the community, helping him enjoy activities and visit places such as the Tim Lamb Centre and Airbox Bounce. Personal care, including pad changing, is also part of the role.
He is non-verbal and communicates in his own individual way, although he has recently started using echolalia. Getting to know him, understanding his cues and building a trusting relationship will be an important part of the role. He has no awareness of danger and can be a flight risk, so he needs close supervision when out and about. He also uses a mobility wheelchair to help him safely access the wider community.
Routine is very important to him, and he can sometimes become overwhelmed or frustrated when he is unable to communicate what he needs. A calm, patient and understanding approach will help him feel safe and supported.
We would particularly welcome someone with first-hand experience or a good understanding of non-verbal autism. This experience does not need to have been gained in a professional care role.
Hours available
- 4 hours per week during term time
- 6 hours per week during school holidays
We are looking for someone who is:
- Female, due to personal care requirements
- Patient, reliable and attentive
- Understanding of, or experienced in, supporting a child with non-verbal autism
- Comfortable providing personal care
- Able to provide safe, consistent and person-centred support
- A driver with their own vehicle is preferred
This is a lovely opportunity to build a meaningful relationship with a young person, share in the things he enjoys and help him safely explore his community. If you are caring, enthusiastic and feel you could be the right person to support him, we would love to hear from you.