A+ A- 02476 511 611
County Durham

Senior Personal Assistant

Wynyard (Billingham), TS22, North East

Job reference HRT17721LN2 Closes 4th November 2026
Hourly rate £18.00
Hours 36
Contract type Fixed Term (12 weeks- with the possibility of becoming permanent)
Driving Car owner with business insurance
Care experience Essential Childcare / special needs experience

When you are required

Availability is required on the following days and times:

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

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

Working pattern

  • Waking nights
  • Shift work

About the employer

This role is to work with an 8-year-old boy who lives at home with his parents. He has complex, lifelong medical and developmental needs, including Pallister-Killian syndrome, epilepsy, hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infections, asthma, dysphagia, reflux, visual impairment and global developmental delay. He requires close observation, skilled support and timely intervention throughout the day and night to help keep him safe, comfortable and well cared for within his family home. The Advanced Care Assistant role is essential in supporting him and his family by providing person-centred care under the guidance of his parents and relevant health professionals. The post holder will need to be confident, compassionate and attentive, with the ability to follow care plans, recognise changes in Jude’s presentation, respond appropriately to seizures or signs of illness, support safe moving and handling, and maintain Jude’s dignity, comfort and quality of life. The successful candidate will be caring, dependable and professional, with the confidence to support one child within their family home. They will demonstrate sound judgement, respect the family’s privacy and household routines, maintain confidentiality, and show a consistent commitment to safe, inclusive and high-quality support. You must be able to manage time well and respond calmly during stressful, urgent or emergency situations in the family home. Due to complex medical needs and vulnerability to illness, staff must not attend work if they are unwell or showing any symptoms of infection/illness. This is essential to reduce the risk of passing on illness and to help protect his health, safety and wellbeing. We are recruiting for a 36-hour-per-week position which is going to be 4 nights per week 10pm-7am and are also looking to appoint casual workers who can provide cover during periods of annual leave, sickness or other staff absence. This is a highly rewarding role for someone who is passionate about making a positive difference. By building a trusting relationship with this young boy and his family, the post holder will have the opportunity to support his comfort, safety, development and quality of life, while also helping his family feel reassured and supported in their daily routines.

Disability and health conditions

  • Mobility / Physical
  • Vision
  • Cognitive / Learning
  • Invisible
Pallister-Killian syndrome, epilepsy, hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infections, asthma, dysphagia, reflux, visual impairment and global developmental delay.

About the role

Duties and responsibilities

  • Support and/or prompt with personal care. This may include toileting, showering/bathing, getting in and out of bed and 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 to get to and from school/work/college/social activities.
  • Assist and encourage socialisation, participating in activities.
  • Develop a good and trusting one-to-one working relationship.
Promote dignity, respect, equality and diversity in all aspects of care and communication with the child and family. Monitor the child’s condition, identify changes or concern, and escalate issues promptly to the appropriate professional or family.

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 and to report defects 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, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure. Costs will be covered.

Transport requirement

Car driver and car owner – must have business insurance.

Required skills

  • Be honest, reliable, trustworthy and punctual.
  • Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy, including the prohibited use of social media in relation to the job role.
  • Be able to work on own initiative.
  • Work as part of a team.
  • 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 essential.
  • Previous experience in childcare/special needs is essential.
  • Be able to work flexibly, adapting to the employer’s 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.
Clinical Care: Ability to support the child’s individual care needs, follow agreed care plans and administer medication safely where required. Communication: Excellent verbal, written and listening skills, with the ability to communicate clearly.

Required training

Successful candidates are required to undertake any training considered necessary and appropriate to the role.

  • Moving and Handling. Training will be provided by the employer.
  • First Aid. PA must already hold the relevant qualification.
  • Epilepsy. Training will be provided by the employer.
Medication Administration: Handling, recording and supporting the safe administration or dispensing of the child’s prescribed medication in line with agreed procedures. Safeguarding. Infection Control