AskJules are agents for university students with physical disabilities who choose to employ like-minded Personal Assistants to provide their personal care.
Job Title: Personal Assistant
Our client has a vacancy for 1 Personal Assistant to provide her Health, Social and Personal Care at home in Hounslow.
Hours: Live-in (one week on /one week off)
Start Date: August/September 2024
Location: Whitton, Hounslow (TW4 5QE)
Pay & Benefits
£1050 per week worked
Free accommodation when on shift
5.6 weeks' holiday pro rata
About our Client
Our client has cerebral palsy and other hidden disabilities and is a full-time wheelchair user. She completed her degree in Sports development and Coaching at Southampton Solent University two years ago.
A year ago, she moved from the family home into a brand new fully adapted two-bedroom house (with a garden and driveway!) in Whitton. She lives there with her PA's, like a flat share. Her parents live 15 minutes' drive away.
Our client describes herself as - determined, sociable and very sporty! She is passionate about wheelchair racing and is currently competing at national level. She trains 4 times a week at her club in Kingston, Surrey and takes part in an international competition in Switzerland every year. She trains at a gym on other days.
She also follows many other sports including football, rugby and tennis. When she's not doing sport, she enjoys listening to music, cinema, going swimming, bowling and going into town. She loves all things Spanish and Latin American and is really interested in the world in general. She has a cheeky sense of humour and loves to laugh and is a real chatterbox! She also needs her sleep and enjoys downtime on her technology and social media - she's not on the go all the time, just a lot of it!
As written by her ..
"I lead a very active lifestyle; I enjoy my life and my sports, and don't let my disability hold me back. Just a quick warning, you will need to be very fit and healthy to help me and keep up with me!
I finished a degree in Sports Development and Sports Coaching at Solent University in Southampton a couple of years ago. So, I'm embarking on a new stage of my life. This is exciting, but also a little scary!
I am wanting to develop my life outside my sports training and have explored the options of part time work or volunteering. It has been hard and I've found it quite overwhelming at times but would like help from my PA to get involved in something that's locally based so I can build up my confidence and start to meet new people.
I might possibly undertake more online courses. For all of the above, I will need your help, encouragement, support, and considerable organisational skills! I currently train multiple times a week, both with coaches and at my dad's, so it would be good if you have an interest in anything sports or fitness related because we will have lots to talk about!
My sport is the biggest thing that is happening for me in my life now so I need a PA who can really get behind me and enthuse and support me in all aspects of my racing."
About the Job
A great opportunity to spend this and future years doing something very different and meaningful after graduating from university, before embarking on a further career.
You will provide a small amount of our client's personal/health care and significant social and organisational support. This is also a "flatmate" type of role which goes far beyond simply care work, and includes all the fun things you'd expect a young person to be doing, helping our client to socialise. A key role will be to support our client in furthering her independence skills.
Weekly live-in rota: 7 days on and 7 days off or similar arrangement.
PA's often use the flexible working arrangements that come with the week on/week off set up to travel abroad or visit friends throughout the year.
The combination of this, with the knowledge that they are having a positive, daily impact on someone's life, and the relaxed, inclusive working environment makes this a unique and exciting opportunity.
Care experience is not required as full training in our client's particular requirements will be provided.
About You
You are unlikely to have experience in every aspect of our client's care therefore full training in her particular needs is provided. Our ideal applicants will:
Hold a Full UK driving licence with substantial driving experience (Essential)
An understanding of Neurodiversity and the impact it can have on an individual
Interested in Sports / Athletics
Be physically fit, calm, extremely patient and caring
Have a bubbly, enthusiastic personality with a great sense of humour
Impeccable communication skills - Both verbal and written
Sensitivity to the needs of others and an ability to adapt your approach accordingly
A mature and responsible attitude
Non-Smoker
If you would like to apply for this position, please describe your interests in your covering letter.
AskJules is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. All applicants must be willing to undergo the appropriate screening, including checks with past employers / tutors and an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.