Personal Assistant/Support Worker 1:1 in Bath

Note: It is an occupational requirement that a FEMALE works with my daughter B due to her vulnerability (lack of capacity) which is the reason for the requirement for 1:1 support and the personal care involved on a routine basis. This requirement is supported by our local authority BANES Adult Social Care team.

General:
7-14h pw, as Employee (not Self-Employed):
-Mon or Fri whole-day (9.30-4.30 or to 6.30) and possibly Thur afternoon (1.00-4.30 or to 6.30) - regular through the year, both term-time and holiday periods;
-Holiday pay is wrapped into each pay cycle (every 4 weeks); There will be flexibility for your actual time-off which we will coordinate with our occasional holiday and the time-off of the existing PAs.

Rate of pay £15.49 per hour gross.

You will be contributing to B’s learning and development alongside her MDT (see further below).

B's learning (receptivity/engagement) is affected by her environment and any change to people, places/activities. She has Severe Learning Disabilities interacting with underlying Epilepsy occasional short (half-minute) episodes (remaining conscious and mobile) managed at home with the lowest dose 5ml Carbamazepine morning and evening. The SLD/Epilepsy result in Complex Needs, predominantly Communication Difficulties (Non-Verbal, making a handful of sounds, while understanding some single-words, or simple phrases/sentences when well-regulated). She has a very basic understanding of the world (mostly according to her immediate needs and wishes).

Her need for 1:1 anticipatory and often hand-over-hand support in all aspects of daily living including personal care and social engagement, is magnified by -
-being physically mobile (subject to gross/fine motor skills which are variable),  and
-lack of capacity (I am her welfare deputy).

The above combination of needs also gives rise to Behaviour issues including some matching those on the Autism Spectrum, which increase with changes (as above) and with tiredness/menstrual/sensory-overload/epileptic-activity/picking up the stress of others, as well as when trying/learning new things (‘pushing boundaries’). Your role is anticipating these factors to support B to regulate her own behaviour, while also controlling/avoiding them where possible. This helps her  learn, socially engage and communicate more appropriately.

You would need to have had PBS training before taking this role, as B pinches, grabs, pulls, arms/wrists/hands/ clothes, predominantly due to her communication difficulties.

You would need at least two years’ previous experience working with clients with Complex Needs including Autism and Epilepsy, and some experience of working with Dementia. Also, training is given by me, to get used to B’s individual needs and routine, and how to manage any changes including her needs developing. This will give you the skills to support B on your own including dealing with new/unforeseen situations. Long-term this is important - the PAs are the first step in B learning to live and develop with people beyond her family.

B’s ‘Education’ (‘Lifelong learning’)
This consists of basic daily living skills and social engagement at home, at settings (including with other learning-disabled YP/adults) and in the community, delivered on a daily basis by her PAs, funded by BANES Social Care direct payment, which covers also the cost of the Settings/Activities/Mileage. Additionally, under her EOTAS/EHCP she has Music Therapy, SALT, OT, Behaviour Support, working collaboratively with the PAs. This multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is planning bespoke training (additional to that above) for the PAs to continue beyond the life of the EHCP.
 
B does have some awareness. You’ll be helping her with communication (even if predominantly she remains non-verbal) by engaging with her and building an understanding together. By providing help at the right time with suitable activities, you’ll be enabling her small, individual version of 'independence' (daily living skills, activities, trying to be sociable).

 
Right to work in the UK required even for British citizens:
I would need to have sight of AND make digital/share-code or hard-copy record of this.
-A British passport can be an expired one.
-For anyone with non-UK nationality, I would send you the list of alternative documents.

Person Specification (more detail):
The ideal candidate will be physically resilient, have a calm but firm manner and be able to safeguard from dangers, as well as promoting danger awareness for B, when in the community.
One does not have to be a strong person physically to do the job, but general good health and fitness and willingness for the out-of-doors, are considered beneficial to B’s health also.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
·        At least 2y previous experience working with clients with Complex Needs incl Autism and Epilepsy
·        PBS training
·        Some experience of working with Dementia
·        A friendly and easy going personality
·        Patient and calm
·        Ability to be firm as required
·        An appreciation of confidentiality
·        Trustworthiness
·        Good timekeeping skills / punctual
·        Willingness to be flexible
·        Current clean full UK driving licence and car
(B has a Blue Badge)
·        Business motor insurance, or
- I can reimburse you to top-up your existing insurance.

Other Responsibilities:    
·         Punctuality:  Arrive at the scheduled time, ready to start work.  Let me know if you are going to be more than 10 minutes late but as much as possible advance notice if need to be absent, to enable temporary replacement  to allow routine to carry on for B. 
·         Confidentiality:   B’s family will need you to respect their privacy. You can maintain a professional approach while still making conversation about the care and assistance that you give in order of course to support any developing needs. B is unable to understand these matters or social boundaries, or the reasons for them, But she CAN sense when people are talking about her.
·         Good Attitude:  Appreciate the strains and stresses for B and her family, and the effect this can have on their acceptance of your help. They may not always be as professional as you. They may not show acceptance of your help when they actually need it.
 
 
Thank you.
 
I look forward to your application, Rebecca (B's Mum)