Personal Assistant – JTNCL Needed in Westerhope

Location: Westerhope, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Hours of work: 18 hours per week in school holidays and occasional evening and weekend work.

Rate of Pay: £16.10 per hour

We are looking for two Personal Assistants to support my son who is 13 years old and a permanent wheelchair user. My son is a very happy, loving and sociable person who is obsessed with trains and transport. A typical day out with him could be trainspotting at a train station, a ride on the metro or visiting a museum. He also loves to go bowling, mini golf and visit attractions.  As James cannot stand at all he needs to be lifted or hoisted to toilet and when changing positions. Most of the time will be during school holidays but occasional evening or weekend work will be required.

My son James has complex medical health needs and needs support with toileting (incontinent), feeding (gastrostomy fed) and occasionally oral suction. He also has epilepsy which presents as focal seizures which you need to be aware of and support him with. We spend a lot of time with him as a family and some days you may be asked to support me (mum) out and about other days you will be working with another support worker. We want him to increase his independence and explore the world around him in a safe environment. My son is nonverbal, he can vocalise some words but uses Makaton and a Voca to communicate, he also uses both a manual and electric wheelchair. I am keen that the person who fills this role is positive, friendly and will build a trusting relationship with him.

Duties will include:

• Taking him to agreed activities/places using either public transport or if you hold a valid driving licence using his WAV.
• Leave and return home at agreed times and be accessible by phone.
• Tending to his personal needs, helping him to keep safe and navigate his environment while also promoting his Independence.

Be vigilant of his safety especially around roads and ensuring that he is safe and interacting with appropriate persons. Also ensure the area you are visiting is safe and accessible.

• Always be contactable when with my son and update me when out without me.
• Provide emotional support to him if he gets upset or distressed.
• Give feeds and fluids through his gastrostomy.
• Change clothes and toilet him safely.
• Support development of life skills, such as using public transport and making purchases in shops.
• Encourage him to try new things and places but respect his boundaries.
• Support him emotionally when having a seizure and reassure him during them, recording the length and characteristics of the seizure.

Skills and qualities:

Essential

• Patient
• Kind & caring
• Open minded
• Good time keeping
• Reliable
• Flexible
• Honest
• Understanding
• Good at building relationships
• Positive outlook and be able to have fun with him.

Preferred

• Experience working in the social care sector.
• Driver with clean driving licence.

Where it is required, such as Health and Safety matters, practical training and guidance will be arranged, and the Personal Assistant will be expected to attend.

A full DBS check will be completed on the successful applicants, and they must have permission to work in the UK.

This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.