Personal Assistants / Carers Required – Supporting a Young Woman with Complex Needs (West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2)

• Speaks: English
• Additional details: Current DBS/CRB check, Full driving license, Use of own transport

• Gender: Female
• Age: 16-25
• Location: Rushcliffe
• Requires support: Personal Care, Personal Hygiene, Cooking, Support with Activities, Transport

Hourly rate: Self-employed PA: up to £18.91 per hour (pro-rata), depending on experience. Employed PA: up to £15.76 per hour (pro-rata), depending on experience.

We are looking to recruit several caring, reliable and committed Personal Assistants (PAs) to support a young woman in her 20s who lives in West Bridgford, Nottingham.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support someone with complex health, mobility and communication needs to live a safe, fulfilling and enjoyable life. The successful PAs will work closely with her family and other members of the support team to provide consistent, person-centred care.

Above all, we are looking for individuals who can help create a happy, fun and engaging environment. The young woman enjoys spending time in the community and benefits from support workers who are positive, energetic, playful and able to make activities enjoyable whilst ensuring her safety and wellbeing.

About the Person

The young woman is non-verbal and communicates through facial expressions, body language, vocalisations and behaviour. Understanding that all behaviour is a form of communication is essential. She benefits from familiar people who can build trusting relationships and anticipate her needs over time.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support will include, but is not limited to:

• Supporting with personal care, dressing, and bedtime routines.
• Assisting with meals, drinks, nutrition, and hydration, ensuring safe eating, and drinking practices.
• Providing hands-on support with mobility, moving and handling, and transfers following specialist training.
• Assessing when wheelchair use is required and following safe practice guidance when using the wheelchair.
• Supporting access to community activities and outings, including swimming, walking, and other leisure activities.
• Planning and participating in fun, engaging and meaningful activities that promote wellbeing and enjoyment.
• Monitoring wellbeing and recognising signs of pain, discomfort, illness, or distress.
• Providing reassurance, encouragement, companionship, and emotional support.
• Contributing to and supporting the individual's personalised development and wellbeing goals.
• Maintaining effective communication with parents and providing regular feedback regarding wellbeing, activities and progress.
• Supporting the family by providing reliable care that enables parents to have a break from their caring responsibilities.
• Working collaboratively with family members and other PAs to ensure consistent support.

Hours of Support

The support package includes 20 hours per week, used flexibly to meet the individual's needs. Working times are flexible and will be agreed in advance with the family.

Support arrangements include:

• One weekend day with 6 hours of 2:1 support (two PAs working together) for community activities and outings.
• 8 hours of 1:1 support during weekday mornings and/or evenings to assist with personal care, meals, daily routines, and wellbeing support within the home.
• 2:1 support for all community-based activities and outings.
• 1:1 support whilst in the family home.

Requirements

The ideal PA will:

• Be calm, patient, kind, dependable and have a positive outlook.
• Have a fun, playful and outgoing nature, with the ability to create a happy and enjoyable experience for the young woman.
• Have an understanding of learning disabilities and challenging behaviour or be willing to learn through training and experience.
• Be physically able to provide mobility support and assist with moving, handling and transfers following training.
• Be willing to undertake moving and handling training and follow guidance carefully.
• Understand that distress, resistance, or vocalisations may be a way of communicating needs.
• Be observant and able to identify changes in wellbeing, comfort, or health.
• Be able to provide both practical support and emotional reassurance.
• Value dignity, respect, and person-centred care.
• Be able to work consistently and develop a long-term supportive relationship.
• Ideally have experience supporting people with complex needs, learning disabilities, epilepsy, mobility difficulties, or communication needs, although full training can be provided.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle. This is highly desirable as the role involves supporting community access and activities.

Hours and Flexibility

• Flexible working arrangements are available.
• Shifts will be arranged around the young woman's needs and family requirements.
• Weekend availability will be required as part of the support package.

When applying, please provide a contact mobile number and confirm your hourly rate.