Direct Payment Worker

Direct Payment Worker

Job description

Hours of work

4 hours per week in term time and 6 hours per week during the school holidays

About the recipient

The individual is male, 5 years old and resides in Beverley. They require a dedicated and suitable person to support them due to having high needs and suspected neurodivergent needs. They benefit from calm, consistent support from a trusted adult who can provide structure, reassurance and help them feel safe and understood.

They enjoy sensory and exploratory play, including water play, messy play, construction activities, outdoor play and active movement. They also enjoy creative and imaginative activities, simple problem-solving, cause-and-effect play, books and one-to-one attention from a trusted adult.

They benefit from calm, predictable routines, clear and simple communication, visual prompts, limited choices and time to process information. They respond well to praise, positive reinforcement and support from someone who can build a consistent, trusting relationship with them.

They can be sensitive to noise, busy environments, unpredictability and too many demands being placed on them at once. They may need regular movement or sensory breaks, a low-stimulation environment when overwhelmed, and close adult supervision to support safety.

They can find sudden changes, transitions away from preferred activities, group situations, waiting, sharing and adult-directed tasks difficult. Personal care routines, including toileting and changing, may also require sensitive and patient support.

About the role

The successful candidate will be responsible:

• Providing calm, consistent one-to-one support to help the individual feel safe, settled and understood.
• Supporting the individual to access age-appropriate activities, play opportunities and time in the community.
• Encouraging social interaction, turn-taking, sharing and inclusion through supported play and positive engagement.
• Providing emotional support, reassurance and co-regulation when the individual becomes overwhelmed, frustrated or dysregulated.
• Using simple communication, visual prompts, clear routines and limited choices to support understanding and reduce anxiety.
• Supporting transitions between activities and helping the individual prepare for changes in routine.
• Promoting safety through close supervision, particularly in busy environments, during sensory-seeking behaviour or when accessing community activities.
• Providing sensitive support with personal care routines, including toileting and changing where required.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive behaviour through praise, patience and consistent boundaries.
• Working in partnership with the family and following agreed care, safety and support guidance.

About the candidate

The suitable candidate must:

• Be patient, calm, caring and understanding.
• Be able to build a positive, trusting relationship with the individual and provide consistent support.
• Have clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to use simple language and follow agreed support strategies.
• Be confident supporting emotional regulation, using reassurance, praise and a low-arousal approach when needed.
• Be proactive, reliable and able to work on their own initiative while following family guidance and agreed routines.
• Have an understanding of, or willingness to learn about, high needs, suspected neurodivergent needs, and developmental, sensory and emotional regulation needs.
• Be able to support personal care routines sensitively and respectfully.
• Be flexible and willing to work the agreed hours around the needs of the individual and family.
• Be able to promote safety and provide close supervision in the home and community.
• Have access to suitable transport to support community activities, where required.

DBS/Reference checks will be required for this post – Cost to be met by the local authority.

To apply for this vacancy please email megan.kennedy@eastriding.gov.uk