Personal Assistant/Direct Payments

Personal Assistant/Direct Payments

Job description

Friendly young lady in her 40s requires a warm, reliable and practical Personal Assistant to support her at home and in the local community. Lady enjoys the company of others, conversation, hobbies and local activities, she benefits from calm communication, clear explanations and encouragement to make choices and take part at her own pace. Continuous one-to-one support during these hours is required due to ladies mobility and other health-related safety needs, including occasional brief changes in awareness. PA to always remain close and attentive in all situations of safety. The role is separate from the scheduled morning and evening personal-care support.

The role centres on companionship, community access, healthy routines, socialisation and maintaining a positive mood. Duties include helping her choose and enjoy suitable local outings, shopping, appointments, cafés, leisure and social activities, together with conversation, hobbies and meaningful activities at home. Of particular importance is supporting ladies agreed dietetic plan: encouraging healthier food choices, helping with recommended recipes and preparing food safely while taking account of physical limitations. The PA will encourage and complete agreed level-ground outdoor walking and simple indoor NHS exercises with her, monitor weight as agreed, and keep brief and accurate food, activity and weight records.

At home, the PA will support with cleaning and tidying her bedroom and the lounge areas she uses, putting clothes away and ironing, as she cannot safely manage these tasks independently. The PA will also clear away after food preparation and activities and leave the immediate area clean and safe. This is support with the woman's own rooms and routines, not a general household-cleaning role.

When out, the PA should choose accessible local routes and venues, provide agreed walking support, allow adequate rests, and respond calmly to fatigue, pain, breathlessness, anxiety, distress or a brief change in awareness. Discreet help with urgent toilet access or continence may occasionally be required. A full UK driving licence is essential; the PA must be willing to drive the agreed suitably insured vehicle on suitable local journeys and follow the detailed transport and safety arrangements.

The right person will be patient, respectful, dependable, non-judgemental and safety-conscious, with clear communication and sound judgement. Reliability on the stated days and times is essential. The PA will work under the direction of a family member who is the main carer, while involving her directly in choices about her support, and must follow the separate support and safety plan, risk assessments and emergency arrangements.

Experience of supporting an autistic adult, a person with a learning disability, or someone with significant mobility or health needs would be helpful but is not essential for an applicant with the right approach and willingness to learn. Job-share applications may be considered providing full hours can be covered reliably.

Working days and times are:

• Monday 1.00–5.00 pm
• Wednesday 1.30–5.30 pm
• Thursday 1.30–5.30 pm.

£18 per hour if self employed

Due to the nature of the role and the provision of intimate personal care, this vacancy is restricted to female applicants only (Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9 Part 1)."

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