Personal Assistant/Support Worker for Teenager with Complex Needs

Description

Personal Assistant/Support Worker for Teenager with Complex Needs

Ref: DP6160

Location: Worthing

Details

This role is to support a Child

The candidate should be a woman*

Drivers licence required: Yes

Employment status:

Employed

Hours per week:

4 hours on Mondays & Fridays (extra hours may be available during school holidays & at weekends)

Hourly pay rate:

£14.40

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We are looking for a warm, positive, and enthusiastic Personal Assistant to support a wonderful young girl in her day-to-day life.

She has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and visual impairment. She is non-verbal and communicates through facial expressions and body language, so building a strong, trusting relationship with her is essential.

She has a great sense of humour, loves to laugh at funny moments, and enjoys relaxing activities such as listening to stories, having her nails painted and hands massaged. She enjoys outings in her wheelchair, especially to parks, shops and cafes where she likes listening to everything going on around her.

This is a genuinely rewarding and enjoyable role for someone who loves spending time with young people and helping them experience the world around them.

Why this role?

This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to make a real difference in a young person’s life, while sharing in laughter, creativity, and meaningful connection every day.

Duties include:

- Medication prompting/administering

- Personal grooming

- Eating and drinking assistance

- Moving and handling

- Clinical tasks

- Other relevant duties as required

- Dressing / undressing

- Bathroom assistance

What you’ll be doing:

- Building a close, trusting relationship with Jessie and learning to understand her unique communication style

- Supporting fun and engaging activities such as:

- Baking, arts & crafts

- Reading stories, listening to music, and sensory play

- Helping her feel safe, happy, and supported at all times

- Accompanying her on outings, including:

- Walks outdoors

- Swimming sessions

- Supporting her use of posture equipment so she can enjoy trips out when she wishes

- Driving her to activities using a wheelchair adapted vehicle

Personal care responsibilities:

- Bathing, dressing, and oral care

- Managing continence needs (including regular nappy changes)

- Supporting a bowel care routine

- Feeding via jej and PEG

- Suction support

- Monitoring skin integrity

- Administering medication

(Full training will be provided for all clinical tasks)

Candidate qualities:

- Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality

- Reliable with good timekeeping

- Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative

- Hygienic, tidy and well organised

- Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties

- Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills

- Honest and cheerful

- Creative

- Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard

- Able to always work to high standards of health & safety

We are looking for someone who:

- Is kind, patient, and positive, with a genuine love for helping others

- Has experience supporting children with complex needs (experience with epilepsy is desirable)

- Is attentive and willing to learn her non-verbal communication cues

- Has a good sense of humour and enjoys creating fun, meaningful moments

- Is reliable and consistent, providing a stable and reassuring presence

- Holds a full UK driving licence and is confident and willing to drive a wheelchair adapted van

Additional requirements

Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required.

If you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

*Exemption for gender is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9

Ad ID: 5418288059