Hours: 4 hours per week may include weekend shifts.
Area: Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Rate: £14.50 per hour.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced personal assistant for an articulate young woman with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Due to the complex needs of Josie, supervision is required most of the time, although she is aware of some dangers like road safety, but caution is always required.
Josie currently resides with mum, dad and siblings and their family pet so being a dog lover is essential. SEND experience is essential for this role and you must be able to demonstrate strategies for deescalating dysregulation and challenging behaviours should they present. Background knowledge on PDA is essential.
Josie enjoys a variety of sensory stimulating activities including trips to the local parks/beaches and outdoor venues, she would like to visit and explore new venues to widen her experiences within the community and would like to revisit swimming and cycling which she has not done in a while but is keen to try again. Routine is very important to Josie as she can become overwhelmed if sudden changes occur. Continuity and prior planning are required for all activities and trips.
Josie is a very chatty and inquisitive and is currently completing an internship on a local farm where her favourite animals are the alpacas, especially cookie, Cola and Costa. When Josie is not on her placement, she would like to go out into the community to build her independence and is keen to try local cafes/restaurants and maybe a trip to the nail salon as she really enjoys makeup and cosmetics. When Josie is at home, she enjoys social media and movies however you would be expected to monitor social media activities and distract from too much screentime.
The main tasks within this role will include supporting Josie in accessing the local community, accompanying and supporting her to engage in her chosen activities and promoting independent living with a focus on domestic activities like cookery and money management.
You will be required to navigate public transport systems and promote independence around these activities.
For further details, please see the Job Description
There is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be male/female in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and Equality Act 2010 schedule 9 paragraphs 1 – 4.
This vacancy will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.
At the time of starting their employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the U.K.