Female Personal Assistant – NSUNCL Needed in Kenton

Location: Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne

Hours: 35 hours per week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am—6:15 pm (includes one 30 minute unpaid break)

Rate: £15.50 per hour

Driver Essential

Hi, I’m Summer. I’m registered blind and live in Newcastle with my husband and our eight children, including baby twins! I’m looking for a friendly, reliable and easy-going Female Personal Assistant to support me with the practical things that are more difficult because of my blindness.

Family life is busy, and no two days are quite the same. I enjoy watching soaps and Disney films, singing and listening to audiobooks, and I’m looking for someone who will fit comfortably into our busy but friendly household. The main purpose of the role is to help me be as independent as possible.

A large part of the job will involve providing sighted assistance when we’re out and about.

This could include:

Driving my 8 -seat Motability vehicle.

Guiding me safely in unfamiliar places.

Reading signs, menus, labels and other written information.

Describing what’s happening around me.

Accompanying me to appointments, groups and activities.

Coming with me to baby groups and classes.

Supporting me at my youngest children’s swimming lessons, including getting into the pool with me and providing guidance (you don’t need to have any experience with swimming, just be confident to come in the pool and walk around whilst guiding me.

Helping me with shopping.

Coming on the school run.

Helping me know what my children are doing when we’re at places such as parks or soft play.

Helping with the double pushchair when needed.

There will also be some practical household support, such as simple Meal preparation and cooking. Light cleaning and tidying. Helping me organise things that are difficult for me to manage visually. The household can be busy, but you won’t be asked to provide any care for eight children.

Your role is primarily to support me and remove the practical barriers caused by my blindness. You don’t need previous experience as a Personal Assistant or experience of working with someone who is blind.

The most important things are that you are:

Friendly and approachable. Patient and understanding. Reliable and punctual. Comfortable working independently. Flexible and happy to get involved. Confident driving. Comfortable around children. Happy to work in a busy family environment. Willing to learn how best to support me. Experience of supporting someone with a disability would be helpful but is not essential.

A clean UK driving licence is essential as you will be driving my Motability vehicle. You should also be comfortable driving a larger 8-seat vehicle. No two days are quite the same.

Some days might involve school runs, appointments or shopping, while others could involve baby groups, children’s activities or helping with things around the house.

There are also quieter parts of the day where we can concentrate on household tasks and organisation.

If you enjoy a role where you can make a real difference to someone’s independence, while becoming part of a busy family environment, this could be the job for you.

I am also happy to consider a job share if needed.

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.