About the Employer

I am both the employer and mother of my son who is nonverbal and is diagnosed with Autism and a severe learning disability. My son lives with me and his older sister in our family home in Sunderland. My son’s diagnosis is Autism, severe learning disability and is nonverbal. I am looking to recruit a Personal Assistant to assist in the provision of 1-1 support, to meet my son’s assessed needs by Together for Children, providing him with the opportunity to access social activities in the community with someone other than a family member and provide me a break from our caring role. My son requires support with his personal care as he wears nappies and will need assistance with toileting and changing when out. My son is very energetic and loves to be outdoors and is physically active. He lacks the understanding of personal safety so requires very close supervision. Careful planning of activities will be key as he is prone to running off and is fast of his feet. He has access to reins and a pushchair if he goes anywhere where he can run off and put himself at risk. Areas with enclosed spaces are more suitable and will allow him freedom with boundaries. My son does enjoy being physically active and outdoors, where he has the freedom to move around safely. He particularly likes using trampolines or going to trampoline parks, going to parks using swings and other playground equipment and likes swimming. Whilst he is nonverbal, he can communicate in his own way, he can make choices when physically offered something and can indicate what he wants or where he wants to go by using actions, gestures or leading those he is with by hand.

The PA will be required to support and assist him in accessing the community and willing to get involved in all activities of his choice. My son interacts with adults well and enjoys the 1-1 attention. He is extremely vulnerable and energetic, so will always require close supervision.

Summary of duties: I am looking for a personal assistant to provide my son with the opportunity of independence, expand his social support network and enable him to access social opportunities with someone other than a family member. The PA will be required to support him when out and always provide close supervision to keep him safe. Careful planning of activities will be required to ensure the required facilities are available for toileting and changes throughout the day.

Activities may include:

• Going out for walks

• Going to trampoline parks/soft play areas

• Going swimming

• Going to play in parks

• Providing personal care We are seeking a PA who is physically fit, energetic and likes being outdoors.

The person we are looking for should be happy go lucky, with a calm nature but able to be firm and precise with messages given to my son.

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Employer Disability and Health Conditions

• Cognitive / Learning • Invisible

Nonverbal

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The employer's hobbies and interests:

• Swimming• Going to parks/soft plays• Being outdoors

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Other relevant information

• The individual keeps pets in the home.Cat.

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, getting dressed.
• Support and/or prompt the individual to access sporting and leisure activities.
• Assist and encourage socialisation, participating in activities.
• Promote and encourage friendships and independence.
• Develop a good and trusting one to one working relationship.

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The individuals 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).

Transport Requirement

Car driver preferred but not essential.

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.
• 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 experience in childcare/special needs is essential.
• Flexibility would be an advantage as the hours may be variable.
• Be self-motivated with a willingness to get involved.
• Have a lively personality.