Personal Assistant - Social Care DM/AW-26 (GCIL North Lanarkshire)

To apply for this role please send your CV together with reference DM/AW-26 to parNL@gcil.org.uk

Fun & Active Personal Assistant for 10-Year-Old Boy –

Coatbridge

6 hours per week | Mainly Saturdays | Rate negotiable | Employed or self-employed options considered

We are looking for a warm, fun, energetic and reliable Personal Assistant to spend time with a pleasant and active 10-year-old autistic boy living in the Coatbridge area.

Kai loves getting out and exploring. He enjoys big open spaces, running, swimming and water play, parks, his trampoline and scooter, music, puzzles, museums and trips to the beach.

The main aim of the role is to help Kai get out, explore, have fun and experience more of the world while keeping him safe.

About the role

Kai has limited speech and communicates in his own ways, so we are looking for someone who is patient, observant and willing to take the time to get to know him and understand how he communicates.

Kai is highly energetic and has very little awareness of danger and may suddenly wander off. The role therefore requires good awareness of the environment, particularly when out and about. We often use child reigns and or hold his hand to support him when required.

The role will involve spending time with Kai at home where enjoys being in the garden or indoor play. You will also take him out into the community, for example to parks, swimming, museums, activities or other places he might enjoy. There will be some personal care to support changing his nappies and dressing.

You won't be expected to know everything from day one. As a family, we can show you the approaches that work best with Kai, including how we try to support his communication, joint attention and self-regulation.

As you get to know Kai, we'd be happy for you to suggest and plan new activities or places you think he might enjoy.

About you

We're looking for someone who is:

• Fun and energetic – happy to get involved and be active rather than watch from the sidelines. An interest in music or physical activities is particularly welcome but not necessary.

• Patient and calm – able to adapt when things don't go to plan.

• Attentive and safety-conscious – able to provide close supervision while still helping Kai have some freedom to explore and have fun.

• Warm and friendly – able to build a positive and trusting relationship while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Proactive – willing to think of activities and experiences that Kai might enjoy.

• Reliable and trustworthy.

Experience with autism, learning disabilities or additional support needs would be helpful, but the right personality and willingness to get to know and understand Kai are more important.

You should be comfortable taking part in active outings and able to keep up with an energetic child.

A driving licence and access to a car are strongly preferred, as we'd like Kai to be able to access activities and places beyond his immediate area.

PVG Scheme membership will be required before starting.

Preferred hours/days

6 hours per week, based on a two-week rotating pattern:

Week 1: Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm (6 hours)

Week 2: Thursday, 3:30pm–6:30pm (3 hours) and Saturday, 9:00am–12:00pm (3 hours)

We have some flexibility which can be discussed

Pay & working arrangement

Rate negotiable, depending on experience and whether the role is arranged on an employed or self-employed basis.

We are open to discussing the most suitable working arrangement with the right person. If working on a self-employed basis, the PA would be responsible for the relevant self-employment requirements, including tax, National Insurance, invoicing and appropriate insurance.

Interested?

If you're someone who enjoys being active, likes getting out and doing things, and thinks you could build a great relationship with Kai, we'd really like to hear from you.

To apply please email your CV together with reference DM/AW/26 to parNL@gcil.org.uk.

NOTES TO CANDIDATES

If selected for the next stage of the recruitment process, you will be contacted directly to arrange the next steps.

If you are successfully hired; you will be employed directly by a Private Employer on a PAYE basis and will be entitled to all statutory rights as set out by Employment Law such as paid holidays and statutory sick pay (where eligible).

Please note: This job is advertised by GCIL North Lanarkshire on behalf of a Personal Employer, we are not the employer or an employment/recruitment agency. Our role is to assist with the recruitment process and Employer’s responsibilities.

GCIL North Lanarkshire is a Self-Directed Support service based in Lanarkshire, providing information and assistance to enable all eligible people to explore the 4 options for independent living outlined in the Self-Directed Support Act, now in force.

GCIL North Lanarkshire is part of Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL), which is an established Disabled People's Organisation, with many years of experience assisting people to maximise their preferred support needs.

For more information please contact:

GCIL North Lanarkshire

Brandon Gate, 1 Leechlee Road, Hamilton, ML3 0XB

Tel: 01698 537 472