Personal Assistant – JMNCL Needed in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne

Hours

Term time: One daytime shift of 5–7 hours every other weekend, on either Saturday or Sunday. Dates and start and finish times will be discussed and agreed in advance.

School holidays: Potential for 15–21 hours per week, with further hours potentially available during the six-week summer holidays. Days and hours will be agreed in advance.

Rate: £18.00 per hour

Area: Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne

Full driving licence essential

Personal Assistant – Weekends and School Holidays

About Levi and the role

We are looking for a kind, patient and reliable Personal Assistant to support our 10-year-old son, Levi, to enjoy outings and activities outside the home.

Levi is autistic and non-speaking. He enjoys visiting parks, the Tim Lamb Centre and trampoline parks. The role will focus on helping him have enjoyable days out, with activities planned around his interests and needs.

An important part of the role will be getting to know Levi and learning how he communicates his needs, preferences and feelings. His family will provide guidance, and there will be time to build familiarity and trust before independent outings.

Levi has limited awareness of danger and may occasionally run off or try to climb or jump over things. He needs close, attentive supervision throughout outings. You must be able to anticipate risks and respond promptly and calmly to keep him safe.

He also needs reminders to use the toilet and assistance with toileting when required. You must be comfortable providing this support respectfully and maintaining his privacy and dignity.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Accompanying Levi to activities and places he enjoys.
• Providing close supervision and following agreed safety arrangements.
• Learning and responding to his individual ways of communicating.
• Supporting his choices and allowing him time to engage at his own pace.
• Providing toilet reminders and assistance with toileting.
• Working with his family to plan outings and share relevant updates afterwards.

About you

We are looking for someone who is:

• Calm, patient, observant and dependable.
• Comfortable with active outings and able to respond promptly to safety risks.
• Willing to learn Levi’s communication and support needs.
• Respectful of his choices, dignity and privacy.
• Available every other weekend, with availability during school holidays particularly welcomed.

A full driving licence is essential.

Experience supporting autistic or non-speaking children, particularly children who need close supervision in the community, would be valuable.

We hope to find someone who can build a consistent, trusting relationship with Levi over time.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, appropriate DBS checks and confirmation of the right to work in the UK.

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.