Personal Care Assistant for a lady P/T@ £263/weekly in NR7 - FTE - £34.2k - NORWICH - NR7

Are you looking for an exciting role that is fun, diverse and rewarding?
 
Despite my different health conditions, including autoimmune disorders, I am a 51-year-old lady with great sense of humor, and friendly disposition. These, among others,  includes combined ADHD,  PTSD, fibromyalgia, undiferentiated connective Tissue Disorder, diverticular disease, pancreatic insufficiency and Adrenal Insufficiency, ostheoarthtitis in various areas, which means I am dependent on steroids. This is considered a life threatening condition when I have an adrenal crisis. 
I have this condition since 2013 and am well versed in its management on crisis situations. 
I have constant pain and fatigue due to these health conditions. I also have mobility issues due to these conditions and on very good days may use a crutch indoors for very short distances when my hands, shoulders and/or neck do are not flared up. 
I also use a wheelchair either both indoors  and when my lower body is in too much pain and for longer distances outdoors. 
I am a semi-retired NHS health worker and work two afternoons a week from home, online, from my sofa. I find that working gives me purpose and makes me feel part of our society. 
I used to have many hobbies, such as photography, building dollhouses, and quilting. However due to the deterioration of my health in July 2024,  I have not been able to do any of them for a couple of years. 
As a Personal Assistant, you must be enthusiastic about communicating with and supporting me in a person-centred manner. 
You will have a contract with me and be managed by me (still funded by social services).
I am looking for a personal assistant (FEMALE due to nature of personal care work) to complement the work of other personal assistants already in place. 
The position will be:
2 to 3 mornings to be confirmed at the interview the days depending on your availability and matching with the my current Personal Assistants. This will always include either Saturday or a Sunday and two days during the week too if available.
1 to 2 afternoons 
2 to 3 evenings ( including weekends)
We can discus  the arrangement for the  weekends to be fortnightly, alternating with another PA instead.
The starting time for the position is:
Morning: 9am and lasts 3 hours
Afternoon: 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon once or twice a week. It can be straight after the morning care or we can have a gap.
Evening: Starting at 6 to 8, in a total of 2 hours are available twice or thrice a week too.
As part of this role, being able to cover the other Personal Assistant in case of sickness and/or holiday. We operate by notifying all PAs and myself, via a private WhatssApp group to which we all belong to. You will need to request for cover first thing in the morning (before 8am) or if possible, the night before. This means regularly keeping an eye on the group chat is extremely important. 
You can let us know in advance when you will not be available to cover, so we won't expect your response on that day.
We also aim to recruit, someone that is solely available for cover, to help with these PA absences, due to sicknes  or holiday, when they occur.
 
Pay Rate £17.52 per hour

The jobs entail: 
1.    Preparing breakfast and dispensing medication for the day, 
2.    Existence of prior experience in carrying out personal care is NECESSARY (shower and washing my hair/drying/(un)dressing/hair drying/ styling). 
3.    In the evening, as I have several dietary restrictions, you would be preparing a hot meal with a "Hello Fresh" pack for lunch. This is easier, as it comes all labelled, and with a recipe  that should be easy to follow. 
4.    You will also remind me to take my medication 4 times a day and prepare a protein shake for my lunch to be given to me before you leave in the morning/ lunch shift. 
5.  During the afternoon  hours, this time is allocated for support to access the community, which may include driving my car which has the wheelchair to appointments in the community and also social activities such as going out for a coffee with the dogs in centrepaws, clothes shopping, etc. 
 6.  The shifts on the evenings that are offered to you to prepare my dinner and carry out my personal care for the evening.  
If my husband isn't around, feeding the dogs and taking them to the garden, is also essential. 

Details:
You MUST like dogs as I have two very friendly cocker spaniels. 
Working as part of a team is also essential. This is an employed position funded by Social Services, but managed by me in a contract with you. 
Communication using technology such as a Brighthr app (rota) on your phone, google calendar and a WhatsApp group is necessary for this job.  
I encourage applicants from all backgrounds. with prior experience in  care and with the necessary requirements.
An interview will take place at my either online or at my home when convenient for both parties;
if the time suggested for the interview is not suitable, please suggest suitable times for you (for me: Monday or Friday PM, are better days, and weekends).
You will only be considered for an interview once you have answer these quick but very important questions. 

1. How long have you worked as a personal assistant/ carer?
  2. What do you enjoy most in your caring job?
  3. Tell me about a positive experience with dogs.
  4. Tell me about your experience with cooking at home or elsewhere.
  5. How would you describe your personality?
  6. What could get in the way of you fulfilling your role?
  
Thank you for answering these very important questions. 

I look forward to meeting you.
 
 Summary terms and conditions: 
-The rate of pay for this position is £17.52 per hour.
-Hours and times of work: 
9am in the mornings (2 to 3 times a week, including one day of the weekend)
Variable afternoons: 2 to 3 hours. Depending on day & task. Mon, Weds, Fri
Evenings: 6-8pm

-Other duties will be discussed if/when deemed appropriate but everything that will be expected will be explained prior to acceptance of the position.
-The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work I would normally expect to be done during 5.6 consecutive weeks.
-Access to free training for employed workers.
-If this job requires; Manual Handling, Handling of hazardous chemicals and/or Food Handling you will be required undertake annual training.

The post is subject to the following:  
· A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which will be covered by the employer.  
 · Satisfactory references from two referees, one of which must be your current or last line manager.  
 · Completion of a satisfactory probationary period of 6 months.