Female Personal Assistant – ELANCL Needed in Fenham

Hours: 6.5 hours term time, 8 hours school holidays

Rate of pay: £13.34 per hour

Location: Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne

We are looking for a caring, patient and reliable Female Personal Assistant to support a 7-year-old girl with complex additional needs.

Elena is autistic, has a learning disability and severe sensory processing difficulties. She is mainly non-verbal. She can occasionally say single words but does not speak in sentences and mainly communicates through gestures.

Candidates should be respectful of, and willing to learn about, our Islamic cultural and religious practices, particularly those relating to food preparation, dietary requirements, personal care, and standards of modest dress. The successful candidate will be expected to uphold these practices with sensitivity, professionalism, and respect in all aspects of their role.

She has no awareness of danger and is fully dependent on adults for her daily care and safety. Close supervision is required at all times.

Support required includes:

• Ensuring her safety and wellbeing at all times
• Support with feeding, dressing, bathing and general daily care
• Prompting and support with toileting and recognising cues
• After school support and support during school holidays
• Supporting routines and transitions throughout the day
• Monitoring behaviour such as removing clothing or shoes unexpectedly and ensuring she remains safe and comfortable

Elena requires 2:1 support due to the level of care and supervision needed.

The family would like to slowly introduce more activities to help her enjoy and access the community. These may include swimming, trampolining, visits to local parks and horse-riding lessons. The PA will support her to take part in these activities in a calm, safe and supportive way.

We are looking for someone who is patient, attentive and understanding, and who can provide consistent and supportive care.

Experience supporting children with autism, learning disabilities or sensory needs is desirable but not essential for the right person.

For more details, please see the Job description 

There is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be female in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and Equality Act 2010 schedule 9 paragraphs 1 – 4.

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.