Personal Assistant

The job itself

A 35-year-old gentleman, living in Burstwick, requires 2 Personal Assistants to support him for 32 hours per week on a rota basis.

Days of work would be:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 6 - 6.5 hours per day
• Every Monday, Thursday and Friday: 1 - 1.5 hours per day

Therefore a workplace rota would be in place for alternate weekends between 2 workers.

The gentleman has a diagnosis of learning disability, autism, epilepsy, dyspraxia and oral dyspraxia. He enjoys activities such as: football - especially Hull City and England, swimming, he has an interest in emergency services and visiting museums & displays, he is a keen YouTube quizzer, he is a Harry Potter fan and enjoys musical shows and all types of live music.

Duties include:

• Domestic support around the home: bedding, laundry, cleaning, especially the toilet and bathroom and tidying the home, hoovering, and to ensure a clean and tidy habitable home. The gentleman requires physical assistance to ensure this is completed to an acceptable level. He requires a high level of verbal prompts and encouragement to keep on the task.
• Due to job share - additional hours will be worked to cover periods such as holidays and sickness.
• A mobility car is available – therefore a car driver is essential to support with days out.
• Support the gentleman to: Prepare/organise shopping lists, meal planning, food shopping, food, and stock rotation, infection control, domestic kitchen tasks and cooking. Guidance and supervision will be required at all times in the kitchen to support him to prepare himself a nutritious meal and in making a hot drink for himself to reduce the risk of injury.
• Social activities, days out within the community that are of interest and meaningful for the gentleman.
• Personal care and hygiene will involve prompts, guidance, and encouragement with bathing / shaving, showering and oral health. The worker should supervise the gentleman whilst he is using bathroom facilities to ensure safety due to epilepsy. If going out into the community it is Suggested that spare clothing be taken as a precaution to unforeseen toileting needs. To prompt cleanliness after toileting to prevent developing any sore area’s and to maintain skin integrity and keeping him free from odours.
• Dressing /undressing - the gentleman requires prompting and guidance to dress appropriately in clothes that are clean, free from stains to promote his personal grooming and to be well presented.
• Prompts required with medication - administration of medication not required.

Applicants need to be flexible, honest, hardworking and caring. We are seeking care workers who are sensitive to and able to positively manage and respond to the gentleman’s needs. The candidate must be able to use their own initiative, whilst also ensuring that an environment for maximising independence is maintained. The candidate must be able to be sensitive to the needs of the individual, promoting privacy and dignity. The successful applicant will have an understanding nature and be supportive and patient with the ability to manage situations and vulnerabilities.

The candidate should be enthusiastic, resourceful, and proactive and have a good sense of humour. Effective communication is essential, therefore the candidate must be thoughtful and considerate in their communication and actions. Candidates must be able to motivate, encourage and be influential if needed to support gentleman with developing his independence, living and life skills.

It is essential that the candidate has a genuine interest in building and maintaining a positive relationship, providing care and support and engaging in activities that are of interest and meaningful for the individual in the home and in the community and in maximising independence.