Job title: Female Personal Assistant
Hours: Minimum 5 hours per week and holiday and sickness cover
Rate of Pay: £14.00 per hour
Area: Dumpling Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
Car driver with own vehicle essential
About Me:
I am a lively, outgoing disabled woman living in Dumpling Hall. I love music. I also love to go out and about visiting museums, art galleries, and I am a member of the National Trust.
I am a Mum and a Nana but don’t see my family very often as they live outside of Newcastle. Inclusion and holistic support are important to me. I volunteer my time at the local university being on interview panels and as a guest speaker on the Occupational Therapy course.
I am looking for somebody with a good sense of humour with good communication skills.
I need assistance with some aspects of daily living and personal care. I live in my own bungalow, and I am accustomed to organising the assistance I need. I am severely visually impaired with mobility difficulties. I use a manual wheelchair or a motorised scooter outside of the home.
Purpose of Job:
As my Personal Assistant your job will be to assist me with social activities such as shopping, meeting family and friends, and going to the theatre and local gigs. Your main role will be to support me when out and about and be my sighted guide.
My Personal Assistant will work under my direction to meet my needs and will be accountable to me in all aspects of their work.
I would prefer my Personal Assistant to be lively and outgoing, friendly, reliable and able to work flexible hours. They must also be able to respect my privacy and understand the need for confidentiality in all areas of their work.
Good general health is importantly as well as being physically able to push my wheelchair and load it into their vehicle.
Main Duties:
My condition fluctuates and some days I may be able to do more than others.
Personal Care:
I need some assistance with getting dressed.
Domestic Duties:
General light housework
Emptying bins
Assistance with cooking, for example reading out cooking instructions and preparing meals.
Laundry
Changing bed
Social Assistance:
As my sighted guide, I need you to describe my surroundings always ensuring my safety.
To accompany me on activities of my choice such as shopping, meeting family and friends, and going to the theatre and local gigs.
Support my independence
Support me in my interests and hobbies
Remind me and accompany me to appointments
Support to organise appointments and support with any household correspondence
Accompany me on day trips out in the car
Any other duties:
As my needs will vary it is important that my Personal Assistant is flexible enabling me to carry out any chosen activity whether inside or outside my home, by carrying out any other requests which I may reasonably make.
Training
There are no formal qualifications needed to do this job. For the most part the tasks and assistance involved can be learned through the Personal Assistant and I working together as a team. I am the person best qualified to know what my needs are and how they are best met.
Where it is required, such as in Health and Safety matters, practical training and guidance will be arranged, and the Personal Assistant will be expected to attend.
There will be a probationary period of 6 months during which either party can terminate employment giving one week’s notice. At the end of this period w will discuss the position. If your performance is satisfactory and we are both happy with the situation, your continued employment will be confirmed.
Person Specification
To be my Personal Assistant you should:
Be willing to work under my direction
Have a positive attitude towards disability
Have a happy and upbeat personality
Be flexible
Not drink alcohol when working for me
Have good general health
Be a car driver and owner and be able to fit and lift my wheelchair into your boot (essential)
Be physically able to push me in my manual wheelchair
Be reliable and punctual
Be able to work in different settings
Keep information gained in the course of your employment confidential
Respect my privacy and that of my family and friends
Not discuss my household and domestic circumstances with others, other than with my specific permission
Be able to accept responsibility and work on your own initiative
Be able to respond appropriately in an emergency
Have reasonable reading, writing, I.T., and number skills
Be able to cover holiday and sickness at short notice.
There is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be male/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.