Job Reference: LCSJUN02
We are looking for a permanent, female, part time PA for a young person who is nearly 17 years old. She lives in Haddington, East Lothian.
Hourly rate: £17-£18 per hour plus holiday pay.
Start Date: ASAP.
Days and hours: daytime hours weekly on Saturdays OR Sundays.
The family are keen to find a PA who is happy to work additional ad hoc hours when free perhaps an occasional evening, a Friday after 2pm and various weekdays during school holidays.
The young person is a lovely, funny, creative and determined teenager with a great sense of humour who lives with a rare neurological condition that affects her mobility. She has lost the ability to speak due to her condition.
She can be sociable, however also likes her own quiet time, a resilient and engaging girl who enjoys new experiences, creative opportunities, and spending time with people who are patient to understand her as well as her communication methods and support her to achieve her goals. Like any other teenager she has a lot of ideas, thoughts and feelings and even though she cannot speak she is extremely resourceful with her communication style (using facial expressions, pointing, using sign along as well as using her communication app on her I-pad an area she continues to learn and develop, to help her share her thoughts, preferences, and choices. She has a great personality with a wicked sense of humour, likes a laugh and playing a joke, loves sketching and drawing as well as a lot of other arts and craft activities. And could open an art store with her craft supplies. One of her favourite activities is to go on You Tube to source new ideas that she will look to make herself. She enjoys paddle boarding and has her own paddle board, she enjoys taking part in a range of outdoor activities and likes to try new things. she has her own running buggy that she will use to take part in park runs and in 2024 she completed the Edinburgh Marathon along with her mum: something she is very proud of.
She loves animals and has a pet corn snake who she takes great joy and interest in watching him climbing around in his home. There is no need for anyone apart from mum and dad to be involved with any hands on care of the snake and he is locked securely in his home.
She uses a powered wheelchair for longer distances that she drives herself enabling her to remain independent and active within her community.
When supporting her, it is important to strike the right balance between enthusiasm, humour and a calm, relaxed approach. Due to her disability and her ongoing recovery from surgery earlier this year, she can become tired very easily and will need opportunities to rest. Supporting her with her feeding routine and respecting her enjoyment of food and drink preferences are important aspects of her daily care and wellbeing.
She lives with her Mum, Dad, big brother and younger sister. They value compassion, resilience, positivity, and inclusion. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to take part in activities they enjoy, feel valued, and be supported to reach their full potential. They strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels respected, listened to, and encouraged to be themselves. Most importantly, they enjoy spending time together, sharing experiences, having fun, and supporting one another through life’s challenges and achievements.
With a large household it is important that whoever works with the young person to feel comfortable in their company. She will not always to go out off the house to take part in activities and it is likely that our other children and even friends of theirs may frequent the house.
As she requires full assistance with personal care, dressing, undressing and assistance with going to the toilet to have her pull up pad changed, she would prefer a female carer.
They are looking for someone who is kind, patient, reliable, fun, enthusiastic with a good sense of humour and positive outlook. Someone who is genuinely interested in building a positive relationship with her. It is important that they see her as an individual with her own interests, personality, and aspirations, and support her to live a full and active independent life.
A carer for her should be enthusiastic and willing to encourage her to take part in activities she enjoys, whether that is horse riding, paddle boarding, creative projects, days out, or simply exploring new opportunities. At the same time, they should be able to recognise when she is tired and needs a quieter pace due to her disability or ongoing rehabilitation from surgery.
Good communication skills are essential. It’s important to take time to listen to her and ask her questions if you don’t understand her at first. She likes people to be honest about this. Although she is unable to tell you her wishes, she communicates through facial expressions, gestures, Sign Along, and her communication app. We would love someone who is willing to take the time to learn and understand her unique ways of communicating, ensuring that her voice, choices, and preferences are always respected.
They would value someone who is confident in supporting a young person with complex physical needs or is willing to learn. Training can be provided, but a positive attitude, common sense, and a willingness to develop new skills are just as important as previous experience.
Creativity would be a wonderful quality, as she enjoys arts, crafts, design, and finding new projects to try. Someone who can share these interests or help her explore new hobbies would be a great match.
As she enjoys being out in the community, we would like a carer who is confident supporting her to access activities and social opportunities, while promoting her independence wherever possible.
Most importantly, they are looking for someone who is caring, respectful, adaptable, and fun to be around—someone who can build trust with her, understand her needs, celebrate her achievements, and support her to enjoy life to the fullest.
The carer must be a non smoker and non vaper.
If this sounds like you, please email your CV to: info@lothianchildcaresolutions.co.uk quoting the job reference number.
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