Female Personal Care Assistant

Interested in working in social care? Read on to find out how you can get involved.

Hello! My name is Liz. I’m 45, married, and live with my wife, our two young children and our friendly dog. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type
2) and use an electric wheelchair, but I lead a full and busy life and really value having the right people around me to support that. I’ve lived independently with the help of PAs since I was 19, and most of my carers have stayed with me long term. It’s genuinely a lovely job — there’s plenty of flexibility, lots of intelligent conversation, and you’ll have fun with our 2 children too.

My daughter is home educated, so my PA often helps me set up her learning bits, pass things to her, and support us in the day-to-day rhythm of family life. There are also occasional medical trips to London, which a PA might come along to. If you’re someone who enjoys variety, a calm family home, and a role that really makes a difference, this could be a great fit.

Let me know if you’d like to chat more.

• Mobility / Physical
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type
  2)

• The individual keeps pets in the home. Cockapoo dog & Miniature poodle Dog.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support and/or prompt with personal care. This may include toileting, showering/bathing, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed.
• Support and/or prompt with cooking/meal preparation and eating meals/drinks.
• Support and/or prompt the individual to take medication.
• Assist with household chores and general homemaking.
• Support and/or prompt to attend appointments as necessary, e.g. hospital/doctors.
• Support with food shopping.
• Support the individual to look after/care for pets.
• Support to get to and from school/work/college/social activities.
• Assist and encourage socialisation, participating in activities.
• Promote and encourage friendships and independence.
• Develop a good and trusting one to one working relationship.
• Support with managing paperwork & correspondence.
• Support with practical aspects of parenting. Comfortable in a family home with children and friendly dogs.

Only candidates over the legal age should apply for this position as you will be required to administer medication.

The individual’s needs may vary from day to day and your tasks may reflect this. You could be required to perform other duties as reasonably required.

You have a responsibility as an employee to report all accidents to the employer immediately. You have a duty to report defects and/or hazards which may give rise to an accident. You are to ensure the safety of the individual at all times.

Due to the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure (costs will be covered).

Full driving licence is essential as the role requires you to drive the employer’s vehicle (employer to check age requirement with car insurance provider).

• Be honest, reliable, trustworthy and punctual.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy, including the prohibited use of social media in relation to the job role.
• To be able to work on own initiative.
• To be able to follow instructions accurately.
• Be patient, supportive and caring.
• Have good listening skills and be able to provide non-judgemental emotional support.
• Be empathetic.
• Previous caring experience is not essential, however you should have a genuine interest in supporting people with a disability/illness to achieve their goals.
• Be able to work flexibly, adapting to the employers needs on a daily basis.
• Flexibility would be an advantage as the hours may be variable.
• Be self-motivated with a willingness to get involved.
• Have a lively personality.
• Using a hoist to transfer from bed to wheelchair. Occasionally accompanying us on days out.

• Moving and Handling. Training will be provided by the employer.
• First Aid. Training will be provided by the employer.
• Epilepsy. Training will be provided by the employer.
• Client’s child is epileptic, well controlled however on occasion you may need to assist client along with her partner to care for child during seizure (full training will be provided).

Up to 74 hours. (Shared between 2 or 3 PAs)

• Monday, 07:00–17:15
• Tuesday, 07:00–17:15
• Wednesday, 07:00–19.30
• Thursday, 07:00–17:15
• Friday, 07:00–17:15
• Saturday, 08:00–12:00 or 16:00
• Sunday, 08:00–12:00

• Shift work

Dates and times are flexible and can be discussed at interview.